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Birgit Schrowange Reveals Sexual Harassment During Early ZDF Career

The prominent German TV host describes enduring harassment, retaliation, and bias in the 1980s, pushing for accountability in a male-dominated industry.

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Overview

  • Birgit Schrowange disclosed in a recent Bild interview that she experienced sexual harassment by a ZDF supervisor in the early 1980s.
  • After rejecting her supervisor's advances, Schrowange faced retaliation, with the supervisor making her professional life extremely difficult.
  • She ultimately escalated her complaint to the ZDF Intendant, despite limited institutional support for addressing such misconduct at the time.
  • Schrowange also faced aesthetic discrimination at ZDF, as the broadcaster preferred blonde, delicate-looking announcers, contrasting with her darker-haired appearance.
  • Her early career was marked by financial struggles, including living in a small room and using public facilities, but she persevered to become a leading figure in German television.