Intendants with “too much power”
Haseloff warns against license fee boycott
03/18/2023, 6:10 p.m
Saxony-Anhalt’s prime minister has fundamental doubts about the intendant system of public broadcasting. In view of a new round of registrations that has just started for the future contribution amount, Haseloff is calling for a moratorium.
Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff has called for less power for the directors at the top of the ARD broadcasters. “If too much power rests with individuals, there is a risk involved,” said the CDU politician at the Tutzing Evangelical Academy on Lake Starnberg. On the one hand, this danger of too much power exists internally, said Haseloff. The Magdeburg head of government also sees the risk externally – for example with a view to insufficient plurality, for example in reporting. The question is also whether this system is still sustainable “also in terms of the burden on the shoulders of those involved”. The public broadcasters are headed by an artistic director. These are elected by control bodies such as a broadcasting council made up of representatives from politics and society.
With a view to the debate about reforms in public service broadcasting, Haseloff warned against a boycott by citizens of broadcasting fees. “If a large part of the population would get out, then you won’t get it,” said the politician. “We must never go there.” Haseloff called for comprehensive reforms, also in view of the open question of the amount of the license fee from 2025.
Moratorium on broadcasting fees
The CDU head of government does not believe that an increase in contributions can be communicated in the foreseeable future. He spoke again in favor of a “moratorium” that should apply beyond the current contribution period. Haseloff said months ago that an increase in contributions would be difficult to convey to citizens in the foreseeable future. The CDU politician had placed this in the context of the crisis at Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) around nepotism and the RBB director Patricia Schlesinger, who was fired without notice.
The public service broadcasters finance themselves predominantly from the broadcasting fee paid by households and companies. It is currently 18.36 euros per month. The current contribution period runs until the end of 2024. The broadcasters are currently registering for the future contribution to the KEF finance committee. This commission determines the need and then makes a recommendation for the amount. The federal states have the last word.