After a scandal involving AI‑generated fake videos in a report on U.S. deportation policy, a ZDF staff meeting at the beginning of the week was reportedly heated. A ZDF spokesperson confirmed that the meeting’s purpose was to inform employees about the incident surrounding a “Heute-Journal” segment from 15 February and to discuss questions raised by the staff, according to the dts news agency on Tuesday.
The gathering, called “Open CR” is an internal dialogue format hosted by the network’s editor‑in‑chief. In order to protect confidentiality, the spokesperson said that ZDF does not repeat statements made by individual employees. The spokesperson did not deny a detailed report that had been released by former “Tagesschau” employee Alexander Teske. According to Teske, 1,150 staff members joined the online staff assembly on Monday, where it was announced that labor‑law proceedings had been initiated against all parties involved.
Dunja Hayali, who had introduced the segment with the fabricated material, was not named in the meeting and did not speak. Editor‑in‑chief Bettina Schausten reportedly stated in “Open CR” that certain platforms would “infamously and maliciously” cover the fake, complained that information was being leaked, and said the “Heute” newsroom was understaffed. She acknowledged that unfortunate errors had occurred at all levels and warned that “this must not happen again”. Schausten said responsibility now lies with the former New York studio director who has since been dismissed, but added that the network will not drop her.
During the meeting, a senior ZDF editor mentioned being greeted with the comment “Ah, they come from AI television” while another editor remarked, “We have a Relotius moment”.
