Bavaria's media law revision threatens broadcaster's political independence and democracy
Bayern's Special Treatment—Again—This Time for Bavarian Broadcasting
The same pattern is now emerging in the planned revision of the Bavarian Broadcasting Act (BR), where Bavaria is once again carving out its own special rules. Last week, the state cabinet—comprising the CSU and Free Voters—approved a draft that aims to define the BR's mandate with a bit more precision. Or, to put it bluntly, to politically constrain the broadcaster in fulfilling its mission.
The text states: "It will be clarified that the BR may not pursue political or societal objectives intended to bring about specific behavioral changes or political decisions."
Now, upholding democracy is, in fact, one such "societal objective." And public-service broadcasting is actually obligated to serve this very purpose—a point repeatedly emphasized by ARD Chairman Florian Hager, among others.
Will that no longer apply in Bavaria? Of course, public broadcasters should not act as mouthpieces for political parties or ideologies. Though it's rich that the BR is now being explicitly warned against this in such stark terms. If any ARD institution has historically had ties to a governing party, it's the BR—at least back when the CSU still ruled alone.
The clause about "specific behavioral changes" reads like an open invitation for the AfD and its ilk to accuse the BR of violating its principles every time it airs a bold statement. With this move, Söder is shooting himself in the foot on his own sociopolitical maneuvering. After all, his pro-sausage campaigns won't have a place on the BR anymore—tough luck!
Thuringia Shows How It's Done
Once again, Markus Söder would do well to heed the old fortune cookie wisdom: "Learn to be silent, and you'll realize you've talked too much."
That there's another way—even among conservative politicians—is demonstrated by Thuringia's Media Minister Stefan Gruhner (CDU). Unlike many of his party colleagues from Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, Gruhner doesn't indulge in cheap public-broadcasting bashing or populist attacks on license fees. Instead, at the inauguration of the new Media Council for ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio in Weimar, he declared: "Much of the criticism leveled at the public broadcasting system is completely overblown." He stressed that politicians, in particular, must repeatedly affirm "that public-service broadcasting is a vital pillar of our democracy" and "that we all have a duty to defend it."
"Exactly—all of us, whether we're meat-lovers or veggie-sausage fans," chimes in my roommate. "Which brings us to the second fortune cookie saying: 'Respect—you've shown real civic courage.'"
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