Roland Hag serves as the chairman of the editorial team for "the current" publication.

Roland Hag, a seasoned journalist with a wealth of experience from Bauer and Funke, is set to take over the editorship of the German magazine "die aktuelle." This change comes as current editor Achim Thäsler prepares to retire in September.

Hag's appointment, announced in early August, follows Klambt's acquisition of a large package of eight Yellow titles from Funke in June. Hag has been a consultant at Klambt since 2019 and has been instrumental in the addition of magazines such as "7 Tage," "Frau mit Herz," "In," and "OK!" to Klambt's portfolio in 2022 and 2023.

Under Hag's leadership, "die aktuelle" is expected to maintain its unique DNA while also receiving new impulses. Hag has promised to "sharpen the profile" of the magazine, focusing on stricter fact-checking processes and more reliable, well-researched journalism to eliminate false stories and restore the magazine's credibility.

Lars Rose, the publisher of Klambt, praised Hag as a "passionate editor" who "brings experience, stance, and heart for our readers." Rose also thanked Thäsler for his "excellent work" upon his departure from "die aktuelle."

The circulation of "die aktuelle" currently stands at approximately 175,000 copies, according to IVW. However, the magazine's history under Funke was marred by fabricated stories, causing trouble and raising concerns about its credibility.

Notably, in 2023, Anne Hoffmann, the editor-in-chief of "die aktuelle," stepped down after the magazine published a KI-generated "interview" with Michael Schumacher. This incident highlighted the need for stricter fact-checking and more reliable journalism, a need that Hag aims to address in his new role.

Julia Becker, the publisher of the Yellow titles, once considered "die aktuelle" a reliable source of irritation. With Hag at the helm, there is hope that the magazine will regain its credibility and become a trusted source of opinionated, surprising, and simply good entertainment.