Georg Restle, known face and voice of the ARD political magazine »Monitor«, is set to embark on a new professional chapter. The esteemed moderator and editorial director will bid farewell to the program, with his final broadcast scheduled for the upcoming week, on March 26. This significant change was announced by the WDR, signaling a pivotal moment for one of Germany’s most recognized investigative journalism formats. The public broadcaster confirmed that details regarding Restle’s successor will be made public at a later, unspecified date. This transition marks the end of an era for »Monitor«, under Restle’s long-standing influence.
Restle’s next destination is set to be Nairobi, where he will assume the leadership of the cross-media ARD studio, effective June 1, 2026. This move signifies a return to international reporting for Restle, who previously served as a foreign correspondent in critical regions such as Ukraine and Moscow. His tenure at »Monitor« began in 2000 as a mere editor, progressing to deputy editorial director in 2007. Following a two-year stint as a correspondent in Moscow from 2010 to 2012, he returned to »Monitor« to take the helm as both moderator and editorial director, shaping its journalistic direction for over a decade.
Expressing his anticipation for the upcoming challenge, Restle was quoted in the WDR announcement stating, »I am very much looking forward to the new challenge, which I approach with great humility.« His new role in Nairobi comes with a clear objective: to bolster the ARD’s reporting from African countries. This strategic focus aims to provide deeper insights and a more comprehensive portrayal of the continent’s diverse developments and perspectives, reinforcing ARD’s commitment to global journalism. Restle’s extensive experience in foreign correspondence is expected to be invaluable in this endeavor.
Ellen Ehni, WDR’s Editor-in-Chief for Politics and Contemporary Affairs, lauded Restle’s contributions, characterizing his work as standing for »in-depth and critical journalism with backbone.« She conveyed the broadcaster’s delight at securing his expertise for such a vital and dynamic reporting region as a cross-media studio head. Restle’s departure from »Monitor« and his move to Nairobi underscore the evolving landscape of international journalism and the ARD’s strategic repositioning to enhance its global presence and reporting capabilities from key regions.
