Eurovision Host Broadcaster Chief Resigns Amid Harassment Claims He Denies
The director general of Austrian national broadcaster ORF, Roland Weissmann, has resigned with immediate effect following sexual harassment allegations made by an employee, which he strongly denies. The resignation comes just two months before ORF is scheduled to host the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, casting a shadow over the prestigious event's preparations.
Allegations and Denial
In a statement released on Monday, ORF confirmed that an employee had recently come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Weissmann, relating to the beginning of his tenure in 2022. The broadcaster stated that Roland Weissmann denies these allegations entirely. ORF emphasized the need for a swift and transparent investigation into the claims, while also thanking Weissmann for his three decades of service at the company.
Weissmann's lawyer, Oliver Scherbaum, issued a separate statement revealing that ORF's Foundation Council, which functions similarly to a supervisory board, had informed Weissmann about the allegations and given him only a matter of days to step down. According to Scherbaum, Weissmann has not yet been provided with the full details of the accusations against him.
Resignation and Legal Action
"Nevertheless, in order to avoid harm to the company, he was prepared to make far-reaching concessions and therefore resigned as director general with immediate effect," Scherbaum's statement explained. The lawyer criticized ORF's decision to announce the allegations to the media before a complete investigation, describing it as excessive, disproportionate, and a violation of Weissmann's personal rights. Scherbaum confirmed that legal action would be pursued in response to this handling of the situation.
Roland Weissmann, 57, had led ORF for four years, with the broadcaster due to decide later this year whether to grant him a second five-year term or appoint a new director general. His departure marks a significant upheaval at the organisation during a critical period.
Interim Leadership and Eurovision Context
ORF announced that Ingrid Thurnher, the head of ORF radio and a veteran reporter and presenter, will assume the role of director general on an interim basis. This leadership change occurs as Austria prepares to host the Eurovision Song Contest, following its victory in the 2025 competition.
Austria triumphed at last year's contest in Basel, Switzerland, with singer JJ delivering a spectacular performance of "Wasted Love" that beat favourites Israel and Sweden. The 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino artist, born Johannes Pietsch, captivated audiences with his operatic voice and dramatic staging. This win adds to Austria's previous Eurovision successes, including Conchita Wurst's victory in 2014 with "Rise Like A Phoenix" and Udo Jurgens' win in 1966 with "Merci Cherie".
Upcoming Eurovision Schedule
This year's Eurovision Song Contest will see its semi-finals take place on May 12 and 14, with the grand final scheduled for May 16 in Vienna. The events will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer, as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, ensuring widespread coverage for audiences across the United Kingdom and beyond.
The resignation of Roland Weissmann introduces an unexpected element of controversy into the lead-up to the 2026 Eurovision, raising questions about the internal dynamics at ORF and the broader implications for one of the world's most watched television events.
