Mainz – September 08, 2026 -- ZDF's Administrative Council confirmed Bettina Schausten for a new term as chief editor of the German public broadcaster, extending her mandate through September 30, 2032. The decision was taken on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Council extends Schausten's leadership through 2032
Schausten has held the chief editor role since 2022, overseeing ZDF's editorial direction at a time when public broadcasters face mounting pressure from shifting media consumption patterns and audience fragmentation.
Intendant Himmler cites her role in editorial transformation
ZDF Intendant Dr. Norbert Himmler said Schausten represents independent journalism and a clear editorial stance, crediting her with successfully advancing the broadcaster's chief editorial operations during a period of deep media change.
Schausten pledges continued factual reporting for millions of daily users
Schausten said reliable journalism carries added weight amid complex societal debates, noting that ZDF is used by millions of people every day. She framed factual reporting and careful research as the organization's core obligation.
Career spans three decades, including nine years leading ZDF's Berlin bureau
Schausten joined ZDF in 1996 after earlier stints at Bayerischer Rundfunk and Südwestfunk. She led and hosted the "ZDF-Morgenmagazin" from 1999 to 2002, then headed the main editorial department for domestic, social and education policy from 2003 to 2010. From 2010 to 2019 she ran ZDF's capital bureau in Berlin, overseeing coverage of federal politics and hosting programs including "Berlin direkt." She became deputy chief editor and head of the current affairs department in 2019, and anchored the "heute journal" from 2020 to 2022.