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WDR Mourns Veteran Journalist Jürgen Thebrath, 78

The broadcaster hails his public-service rigor, crediting reporting that strengthened consumer protections.

Overview

  • He died on November 10 at age 78, the WDR announced, with Program Director Jörg Schönenborn praising his fact-driven scrutiny of those in power.
  • His 1987 Monitor investigation into worm larvae in fresh herring prompted about a 25% drop in fish consumption and led to stricter fish hygiene rules.
  • He spent more than three decades at WDR and served as deputy television editor-in-chief until his retirement in 2011.
  • He led ARD’s foreign studios in New York and Brussels after covering the Wende as a correspondent in Warsaw, East Berlin and Moscow.
  • He won the Grimme Prize twice and, in retirement, remained active in journalism education and public discussions.