Dörthe Pankowski will take over as Head of the Legal Department at Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb) on 1 December 2026. The 48-year-old fully qualified lawyer succeeds Dr Kerstin Skiba, who will in future head the media policy division at the newly established ARD secretariat.

Pankowski brings with her many years of experience in the film and media industry. Having held positions including roles in the legal department of MDR and at the Society for the Administration of Neighbouring Rights (GVL), she headed Telepool’s Leipzig office for eight years. Most recently, she worked as a legal adviser at the German Federal Film Board (FFA).

rbb Director-General Ulrike Demmer described Pankowski as a proven media lawyer with extensive expertise in the areas of law relevant to the broadcaster. Her experience of the ARD’s structures and the specific requirements of public service broadcasting is also of significance to rbb.

Pankowski herself highlighted the far-reaching changes taking place in public service broadcasting. She said she intended to play an active role in the process of strengthening its independence and safeguarding its constitutional foundations.