The German Journalists Association (DJV) has made an appeal to the public broadcasters ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio to raise the cost of the obligatory TV and radio licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) in accordance with inflation. Households in Germany currently pay 18,36 a month to access public broadcasting channels.

German Union of Journalists calls for higher Rundfunkbeitrag fee

A representative of the DJV, Frank Überall, has made an appeal to public broadcasters in the federal republic to raise the monthly TV and radio licence fee.

“The increased financial requirements are justified,” said Überall, adding that “the heads of the broadcasters must face up to this discussion.” According to the DJV, after years of spending cuts in broadcasting any alternative route would lead to programme and staff cuts.

At the moment it is mandatory for every household in Germany to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag, which costs 18,36 euros per month. This amount will stay the same until the current fee period ends at the beginning of 2025. Though the DJV is calling for a higher monthly fee, it has not revealed by how much it wants the fee to increase.

Public broadcast journalists are chronically overworked says DJV

Überall added that consistent cuts in recent years mean journalists working in German public broadcasting are now often working their fingers to the bone with little financial compensation reflected in their salaries.

“This won’t work in the long run,” said Überall, “The only way out is a higher broadcasting fee”. The application window for public broadcasters to for appeal a higher Rundfunkbeitrag with the Commission for the Determination of the Financial Needs of the Broadcasting Corporations (KEF) is currently open. If an agreement is met, the governments of the German federal states have the final word.

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