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Agency Report
German public broadcaster ARD said on Saturday that it has withdrawn the newly announced host of one of the country’s top culture programmes after he was criticized for his previous work, including a book called “Around the world in 80 women.”
“Fierce discussion about Thilo Mischke that has arisen in the last few days is overshadowing the central and relevant topics that we want to convey with the programme,” ARD said in a press release.
Before Christmas, ARD announced that journalist and author Mischke would take over as co-host of its popular Sunday culture programme “ttt – Titel, Thesen, Temperamente” (titles, theses, temperaments) from mid-February after former co-host Max Moor stepped down.
Mischke was to moderate the programme alongside existing co-host Siham El-Maimouni.
Many criticized the decision, citing Mischke’s earlier work. In particular, they referenced a book he wrote, published in 2010, entitled “Around the world in 80 Women,” in which the journalist travelled around the world, attempting to seduce 80 women.
Most recently, an open letter signed by cultural workers refusing to work with Mischke circulated. In the letter, they accused Mischke of not having critically examined his earlier work and distanced himself sufficiently from it.
ARD initially stood behind its decision despite the criticism, saying that the programme “is against all forms of sexism and racism and, like Thilo Mischke, stands for diversity of opinion and tolerance.”
It said since the publication of his book, Mischke had “intensively and self-critically examined the allegations that he conveyed a sexist image of women and used racist language at times.”
But on Christmas Eve ttt posted a message on Instagram saying: “First things first: We hear you.” In the post, it asked its audience for time to address the issue.
On Saturday, ARD said: “Thilo Mischke and the ARD agree that the most important thing now is to avert further reputational damage to ‘ttt’ and Thilo Mischke.” It added that Mischke would comment on the matter in due course.
El-Maimouni is now to host the programme alone, according to the broadcaster.
Mischke won a prestigious television award in 2023 for his report about the Taliban in Afghanistan. He is also known for an award-winning report about Germans fighting for the terrorist organization Islamic State.
