Greens are calling for a revolution in local radio: More radio for all of Schleswig-Holstein!

Greens are calling for a revolution in local radio: More radio for all of Schleswig-Holstein!

The current status of the state media treaty in Schleswig-Holstein

What excitement at the state party conference of Alliance 90/The Greens in Schleswig-Holstein! The delegates unanimously approved a proposal to reform the Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein State Media Treaty (MStV HSH). The aim of this application is clear: local private radio should be supported in Schleswig-Holstein and the hurdles for smaller broadcasters, initiatives and clubs should be reduced. This is reported by the radio scene, which examines the topic in detail.

In a nutshell, the core of the decision is about opening up local programs across the entire state. The application proposes to delete Section 30 of the MStV HSH, which currently only allows local radio programs in limited areas, such as Lübeck or Sylt. Currently, non-commercial broadcasting is not even possible in cities like Flensburg or Neumünster. In order to change this, a revision of Section 14 is also required so that commercial and non-commercial providers can broadcast their programs anywhere in the country.

Future-oriented regulations

The reform is intended to give new local providers the opportunity to broadcast their programs on both DAB+ and, if technically feasible, on VHF for five years during the switchover to DAB+. A particular concern of the applicants is to eliminate the unequal treatment that is evident, for example, in the case of Danish broadcasters in Flensburg. They are allowed to broadcast, while local providers in the same region are denied access.

A central point of the application also relates to limiting media concentration. Companies that dominate the market should not be able to hold shares in local private radio projects. Reference is made to Article 5 of the Basic Law, which guarantees free access to information. When implementing this reform, the Greens will instruct the state parliamentary group to introduce the initiative into the coalition - however, the implementation of these changes depends crucially on the CDU's political priorities.

Background to the media state treaty

The framework conditions for media in Germany are regulated by a total of 16 countries that have agreed on broadcasting and media treaties. These are negotiated by the respective state and must be ratified by the state parliaments. The State Media Treaty, which was passed on April 28, 2020, came into force on November 7, 2020 and replaces the State Broadcasting Treaty of 1991. It not only regulates the dual broadcasting system in Germany, but also important aspects such as the program mandate, the protection of minors, radio advertising and the collection of the broadcasting fee. Further information about the legislation can be found on the website of the state government of Schleswig-Holstein.

With the reform of the MStV HSH, Schleswig-Holstein is pursuing the goal of keeping local broadcasting attractive and ensuring broad access to information for the population. Regularly updating the media system is also crucial in order to keep up with the trends and developments of the digital age. It is essential that all actors in the media landscape are given the opportunity to distribute their content unhindered in order to ensure media pluralism and diversity of opinions. Information on the legal basis of the State Media Treaty can be found at die-medienanstalten.

It remains to be seen whether the reform proposal will receive the political support it needs for a sustainable media landscape in Schleswig-Holstein.