The leadership of the Global Task Force for Public Media has changed hands. Dr. Norbert Himmler, General Director of German public broadcaster ZDF, has assumed the Chair, succeeding Catherine Tait, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada.
The Task Force unites seven major public broadcasters: ABC (Australia), BBC (UK), CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada), France Télévisions (France), RNZ (New Zealand), SVT (Sweden), and ZDF (Germany). Formed in 2020, its mission is to uphold and promote the core values of public media: access, accuracy, accountability, creativity, impartiality, independence, and high journalistic standards.
“Public service media are under increasing economic and political pressure all over the world. That is why we must speak with one voice across borders and continents, and strengthen our cooperation wherever possible. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Catherine Tait for all that she has done on the global stage for public media,” stated Himmler.
Tait offered her congratulations and best wishes to Himmler, adding: “I want to congratulate Norbert Himmler and wish him all the best as he succeeds me as Chair. Public service media are stronger when we stand together and under Norbert’s leadership, I know the Global Task Force will continue to stand up for the independent journalism, press freedom and authentic storytelling that serve audiences worldwide.”
Tait, who steered the Global Task Force since its inception, concludes her second term as President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada at the year's end.