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The Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) is a joint state broadcasting institution for the federal states of Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, and Schleswig-Holstein. Founded on January 1, 1956, by the split of the Nordwestdeutschen Rundfunks (NWDR), the NDR is headquartered in Hamburg and is an integral part of the ARD (Association of Public Broadcasting Corporations in the Federal Republic of Germany)[1].
The NDR offers a wide range of programming that informs, educates, advises, and entertains the citizens of the region. The main programs include:
The main mission of the NDR is to inform, educate, and entertain the citizens of its broadcasting areas through high-quality programs. The NDR is committed to adequately considering the diverse northern German regions and their culture as well as language in its programming. The NDR State Treaty regulates the tasks, organization, and social control of the broadcasting institution and emphasizes the importance of regional identity and cultural diversity[1][5].
The NDR actively advocates for sustainability and climate protection. The organization strives to continuously improve its sustainability efforts and already demonstrates how sustainability is lived in the everyday life of the NDR. This includes measures in the areas of energy efficiency, resource-saving production, and the promotion of environmentally friendly practices within the organization[4].
The NDR is led by Director General Joachim Knuth, who is elected by the Broadcasting Council upon the proposal of the Administrative Council. The management team includes, in addition to the Director General, a Deputy Director General, three directors, and six directors. The oversight of the NDR is conducted by the Broadcasting Council and the Administrative Council, while legal supervision lies with the Hamburg Senate[1][5].
The NDR is constantly evolving and adapting to new requirements and tasks. Examples include participation in innovative projects such as the interactive news format on the ARD Twitch channel and participation in events like Polaris, the second-largest gaming fair in Germany. The NDR is also involved in educational initiatives, such as the "Hamburg Week of Press Freedom," to emphasize the importance of press freedom and media literacy[4].
