Saarland drives a large reform: public service broadcasting modernized!

Saarland drives a large reform: public service broadcasting modernized!

On January 21, 2025, the Saarland Council of Ministers approved the reform of public service broadcasting. This decision is part of a comprehensive reform package that was already discussed and decided at the prime minister conference in October and December 2024. The focus is on a fundamental modernization of the existing structures in order to strengthen the acceptance of public service broadcasting and to make its financing future-proof. This is reported by the Saarland.de

The reform process includes two new media state contracts, which among other things provide for close cooperation between the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio broadcasting institutions in administration and technology. State Secretary Thorsten Bischoff emphasizes that the securing of the Saarland radio (SR) is of central importance within this package. An important aspect of the reform is the planned creation of a common digital platform, on which the content of public law institutions should also be available on private platforms such as Joyn or RTLplus.

essential points of the reform

Another goal of the reform is the modernization of the management structures. A collegial management level is established on ZDF and Deutschlandradio. The Saarland has already introduced measures to limit the director's salaries. The audience dialogue should also be intensified in order to better meet the needs of the viewers.

The financial equalization within the ARD on which the SR relies is anchored in the new media state contract. There is no special right of termination for individual countries, which expects greater stability in radio financing. There will also be a closer delimitation in which areas the public service broadcasting can publish text offers, which is an answer to the challenges of digital media use.

The reforms also take into account the future of the future of the print media and make it clear that the determination of the amount of the broadcasting contribution will be regulated. The recommended adjustment of the Commission's radio contribution to determine the financial requirements (KEF) is to be implemented directly, unless contradicts a certain number of countries. Legal proceedings are currently underway at the Federal Constitutional Court on the amount of the radio contribution.

new youth media protection

Another important point is the new youth media protection state contract, which is intended to offer better protection for children. Parents are given the opportunity to centrally regulate access to certain content and apps on the devices of their children. Through these measures, the reform aims to take into account the challenges of the digital media world and to ensure the protection of youngest viewers.

The new regulations are the result of a comprehensive discourse and are part of a multi-year reform strategy that aims to make public service broadcasting-proof, such as ard.de . The entire reform package is referred to as the "SR security package" and shows the intentions of the federal states to reposition public service broadcasting in a constantly changing media landscape.