ZDF

ZDF is one of the television programmes of the broadcaster of the same name. ZDF has no owner in the literal sense. As part of the public broadcasting system, the channel is financed by the public through a licence fee.

ZDF's management consists of the director general, the Editor-in-Chief and four Directors. According to the ZDF State Treaty, the director general is responsible "for the entire business of ZDF, including the organisation of the programmes". ZDF also has two central administrative bodies: The ZDF Board of Directors consists of twelve members, four of whom are delegated by the federal states and eight others are elected by the Television Council. These eight members must come from the Television Council. However, as simultaneous membership of both bodies is excluded, the eight elected members of the Administrative Board are no longer members of the Television Council from the time of their election. The ZDF Television Council consists of 60 members, 16 of whom are representatives of the federal states and two of whom are representatives of the federal government. A further 16 representatives for areas specified in the ZDF State Treaty (e.g. consumer protection, digital affairs, art and culture) are also delegated by the federal states. The remaining members are delegated by socially relevant groups such as churches, trade unions and non-governmental organisations. The current Federal Television Council is represented by the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Lisa Paus, and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justice, Heiko Maaß. The Administrative Board generally passes its resolutions by a majority of the votes cast. Some resolutions, such as the conclusion of the service contract with the director general, require a majority of seven-twelfths of the votes of the statutory members. Votes are generally taken openly, but only by secret ballot at the request of a member. The Television Council generally passes its resolutions with a simple majority of the votes cast. However, some votes, such as the election of the director general, require a three-fifths majority of the statutory members.