Overview
- ZDF announced stricter compliance rules for commissioning service providers in crisis regions and in countries with authoritarian systems.
- Before awarding assignments, the broadcaster will assess both company reliability and the records of individual staff working on ZDF projects.
- Requirements now include self-disclosures, commitment statements, certificates, CVs and references, with checks of public social‑media profiles.
- A framework for systematic background checks is being developed that will draw on external specialists.
- ZDF said it suspended work with PMP after the Israeli army provided documents indicating a deceased Gaza technician was a Hamas member, and its review found no signs that other PMP employees belonged to Hamas while editorial control remained with ZDF teams in Tel Aviv and Mainz.