The Future Council’s proposals are not binding, but they are intended to form the basis for the reform of public broadcasting that has been under discussion for some time. As Jäkel said, implementing the suggestions will lead to significant savings opportunities due to the streamlining of structures. However, politicians must decide whether the broadcasting fees can be reduced as a result or investments are made in the program. The commission made no recommendation here.
Jäkel said of the Future Commission’s approach that it was “not about changes in the system” but “about changes to the system”. One of the most far-reaching proposals is to establish a new ARD station, which is intended to replace the previous working group of the various ARD broadcasters.
This new ARD institution is intended to take on supra-regional tasks such as responsibility for the television station Das Erste and the media libraries as well as organize the division of labor within ARD. This is intended to dismantle existing multiple structures. At the same time, the state broadcasters – such as Bayerischer Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk or Westdeutscher Rundfunk – should focus more on regional offerings.
The members of the commission categorically rejected the proposal from Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) to dissolve small state broadcasters such as Radio Bremen or Saarländischer Rundfunk. Jäkel said that this was “not the right way – we just want to give more importance to the regional.” Commissioner Roger de Weck said a reduction to just four or five such institutions would only increase the tug of war over funds because each of these institutions would then become more powerful.
The Future Commission also proposed a financing reform. However, the broadcasting fee should remain the same. Instead of registering a need for financing in advance, in the future funds should only flow if the order is completely fulfilled as planned. If the order is not fulfilled, the broadcasters’ funds will be cut.
