According to the Kronberger Kreis, the scientific advisory board of the Market Economy Foundation, the eight reform steps are intended to ensure that the objectives set for public service broadcasting in the State Media Treaty (Medienstaatsvertrag) are achieved as efficiently as possible. “The central points of criticism of the public service broadcasting relate to its mandate, the quality of reporting, ineffective supervision by the committees and the level of the broadcasting fee,” summarizes the spokesperson of the Kronberger Kreis, Prof. Lars P. Feld.
The reform steps at a glance:
1. capping the share of recipients to ensure a balance between private and public offerings and the mutual corrective function.
2. restrictive monetary ceilings for the acquisition of sports rights, as there is no need for public broadcasters to provide these offerings due to the intense competition between private and public broadcasters.
3. complete freedom from advertising in order to counter any impression of distortion in the selection of topics and reporting, especially as net advertising and sponsorship revenues make up only a small part of the income of the public service broadcasting.
4. competitive allocation of part of the broadcasting contribution revenue by setting up an innovation fund for which private and public service providers can apply and whose allocation is decided by an independent allocation commission.
5. clear guidelines for non-tariff salaries in the public service broadcasting, which include a prohibition of betterment in order to prevent a self-service mentality.
6. reduction in the size of supervisory bodies and separation of the supervisory areas of “mission fulfillment” and “financial aspects” in order to create clear responsibilities.
7. spatial and personnel separation of the supervisory bodies from the public-law institutions in order to ensure independent and effective supervision
8. regular external, scientifically based evaluations by independent expert committees, as is customary in the field of science, for example at research institutes.
The Kronberger Kreis, the scientific advisory board of the Market Economy Foundation, includes Prof. Lars P. Feld as spokesman as well as Prof. Clemens Fuest, Prof. Justus Haucap, Prof. Heike Schweitzer, Prof. Volker Wieland and Prof. Berthold U. Wigger.
Kronberger Kreis Studie Nr. 73: "Für eine grundlegende Reform des öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunks"
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