A recent survey commissioned by WELT AM SONNTAG has revealed that the proposed increase in the public broadcasting fee for ARD and ZDF to 18.94 euros has been met with significant opposition from the public. A large majority of Germans are in favor of cost-saving measures, such as reducing salaries of executives, and even support the idea of merging ARD and ZDF. The survey conducted by the YouGov institute in mid-March found that 76 percent of respondents do not consider the proposed increase of 58 cents to be appropriate, with only 18 percent in agreement.
Furthermore, the survey showed that 73 percent of respondents support increased cooperation among public broadcasters to share programs and content, with 76 percent in favor of reducing salaries of top executives and 56 percent in favor of cutting costs for presenters. Surprisingly, there is a slim majority of 53 percent who believe that merging ARD and ZDF into one large broadcaster is the right direction. Supporters of this radical reform are primarily found among voters of the FDP (75 percent), AfD (72 percent), and Union parties (54 percent), with even half of SPD supporters in favor. However, only 34 percent of respondents are completely opposed to such a merger, with 12 percent unsure.
The planned increase in the broadcasting fee in 2025 is not guaranteed, as all 16 federal states must approve it. Several state prime ministers have expressed their resistance, citing a lack of public acceptance for such a significant increase. The KEF will provide reform recommendations by autumn to minimize any potential hike. Some state leaders have also criticized the quality of journalism by public broadcasters, emphasizing the importance of objective and impartial reporting for informed citizenry.
Political figures such as Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Sachsen-Anhalt’s Minister President Reiner Haseloff have called for more transparency and control within the public broadcasting system, rather than simply raising costs. Julia Jäkel, co-chair of a council appointed to reorient public broadcasters, has suggested substantial reforms for ARD, including a more agile management structure. The FDP’s media spokesperson, Thomas Hacker, has advocated for merging smaller broadcasters to utilize synergies and reduce expenses.
Criticism has also been directed at the remuneration within public broadcasters, with calls for aligning executive salaries with public sector standards. Transparency in contract agreements, especially with high-profile presenters, is considered essential. Erhard Grundl of the Greens emphasizes the importance of transparency, while Christiane Schenderlein of the CDU suggests benchmarking salaries for leadership positions against similar public institutions. The debate over reforming public broadcasting in Germany is ongoing, with a clear emphasis on cost-saving measures and improving public trust in the media.
