Ubi reprimands Tele Züri: Rumors about Carl Hirschmann spread
Tele Züri, a television station belonging to the Tamedia Group, violated journalistic standards of care in two reports on Carl Hirschmann, the son of a billionaire. This was the ruling reached by the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (Ubi).
Specifically, it concerned two reports from November 5 and December 14 of last year. At its public meeting in Bern on Friday, Ubi criticized the fact that Tele Züri had breached its journalistic duty to present a factual report and had spread rumours. The report on the arrest of Carl Hirschmann had violated the presumption of innocence. It should have been made clear in the broadcast that the reasons for the arrest were unclear, Ubi President Roger Blum told the news agency SDA on Saturday, confirming a statement from Hirschmann's media representative.
Ubi also criticized the lack of critical scrutiny of the sources. An anonymous witness made serious accusations against Hirschmann in the TV report based on alleged statements by a friend. Ubi also criticized the journalists from Tele Züri for not giving Hirschmann the opportunity to comment. As Blum went on to say, Ubi's written justification will not be available for several months.
Jetsetter Hirschmann is repeatedly involved in legal proceedings. At the end of November, the Zurich-Limmat public prosecutor's office brought charges against him. In addition to multiple counts of assault and battery, he is also accused of sexually assaulting two women and sexual acts with a child. Hirschmann's defense describes the indictment as "completely rushed and incomplete". Exculpatory material is being kept under lock and key and a specialist medical report has been dismissed.
Ubi also criticized the lack of critical scrutiny of the sources. An anonymous witness made serious accusations against Hirschmann in the TV report based on alleged statements by a friend. Ubi also criticized the journalists from Tele Züri for not giving Hirschmann the opportunity to comment. As Blum went on to say, Ubi's written justification will not be available for several months.
Jetsetter Hirschmann is repeatedly involved in legal proceedings. At the end of November, the Zurich-Limmat public prosecutor's office brought charges against him. In addition to multiple counts of assault and battery, he is also accused of sexually assaulting two women and sexual acts with a child. Hirschmann's defense describes the indictment as "completely rushed and incomplete". Exculpatory material is being kept under lock and key and a specialist medical report has been dismissed.
