The British government wants to abolish broadcasting fees for the BBC. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans are already meeting with fierce resistance. In Germany, too, public service broadcasting is to be reformed, although the goals in this country differ widely.
Broadcasting fee for the BBC is on the brink
An announcement by the British government caused outrage: According to the plans now presented by Culture Minister Nadine Dorries, by 2027 the Broadcasting fee for the BBC to be abolished. State subsidies are also to be frozen, they say. The step is justified with the growing importance of streaming providers such as Netflix (source: Tagesschau).
The opposition has sharply criticized the plans and sees them as Prime Minister’s diversionary tactics. Boris Johnson is under pressure at home because of the “Partygate” affair surrounding drinking bouts during corona lockdowns. The abolition of the broadcasting fee for the BBC would amount to “cultural vandalism”. Years ago, Johnson announced that he wanted to cut the funds from the BBC.
In Great Britain, the broadcasting fee has so far been paid with an annual payment of the equivalent of around 190 euros per household noticeable. For comparison: in Germany, after the increase of 88 cents per month, it is now 220.32 per year and household.
This is what the GIGA editorial team thinks about the broadcast contribution:
BBC: Austerity program leaves job vacancies
The BBC has already been subjected to an austerity program in which Thousands of positions not filled will. Salaries for moderators have also been significantly reduced. During the pandemic, the educational program was greatly upgraded in order to be able to continue teaching at least some of the students from closed schools.
In Germany, too, the financing of public service broadcasters continues to be the subject of discussions. All parties represented in the Bundestag are of the opinion that reform would help, but opinions differ greatly when it comes to the specific design. The AfD calls for an almost complete abolition, the FDP had spoken of a “more modern and leaner” program in the election program.