Overview

• Directors Moritz Riesewieck and Hans Block declined their GOA prize on stage, saying they want a thorough review of the case before accepting.
• Grimme director Çiğdem Uzunoğlu called the Förderverein’s revocation “formally a mistake,” asserted the institute exerted no influence, and pledged an open debate on jury independence.
• Uzunoğlu announced the institute will continue its work without the Förderverein and pursue an organizational separation.
• Several past honorees have returned awards in protest after the reversal of Scheytt’s recognition by the independent friends’ association.
• The institute reports short‑term financial stability with new backers RAG‑Stiftung and Stiftung Zollverein, and it is positioning Essen as the ongoing venue for the Grimme Online Award.