BERLIN. The German Association of Journalists (DJV), which represents more than 30,000 members from all media, has called for a significant increase in broadcasting fees. Otherwise there will be program cuts and staff cuts at ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio.
Therefore, in a press release, the trade union appealed to the public broadcasters to take the inflation rate into account when registering their financial needs. The high price increases would have to be covered by a higher broadcasting fee, demanded the DJV national chairman Frank Überall.
Mood in the GEZ stations at “low point”
“There must be no hasty obedience on the part of the directors to suspected political moods in the countries,” warned the union boss. According to Everywhere, the workload in the editorial offices is constantly increasing, without the journalists’ salaries and fees being increased. “The only way out is a higher broadcasting contribution.” The mood in the editorial offices has already reached a low point. However, some GEZ journalists earn a lot of extra money from the federal government.
The compulsory fee is currently EUR 18.36 per month. The contribution was last increased from 17.50 euros in 2021. The broadcasters are currently reporting their financial wishes to the Commission for Determining the Financial Needs of Broadcasters. This then recommends the new amount of the broadcasting fee from 2024. The federal states then decide on this, and they usually comply with the recommendation. (fh)