Saxony-Anhalt’s CDU wants to switch off “Das Erste” in the long term
The ARD capital studio in Berlin: The CDU parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt accuses the public broadcasters of having distanced themselves from their viewers
Source: pa/imageBROKER/Karl-Heinz Spremberg
Saxony-Anhalt’s Media Minister Rainer Robra (CDU) proposes that the station “Das Erste” be abolished as an independent channel in the long term – the parliamentary group of his party supports this plan. Accordingly, ZDF would remain the only national broadcaster.
Sachsen-Anhalt’s CDU wants to switch off the oldest public television program. “Das Erste”, on the air since 1950, should disappear in the long term, reports the “Mitteldeutsche Zeitung”. The CDU parliamentary group backed a proposal by Media Minister Rainer Robra (CDU) on Monday.
“We support Minister of State Robra’s proposal to abolish the broadcaster ‘Das Erste’ as an independent channel in the long term,” said Parliamentary Secretary Markus Kurz. ZDF and the third programs are to remain. With a view to this, Kurz speaks of a concept “The first with a regional focus”.
ZDF, which went on the air in 1963, would be upgraded by these plans. “ZDF would remain as the national broadcaster,” Kurz confirmed. The closure of the “First” is a long-term vision, emphasized the media politician. “We know that we cannot implement this politically at the moment. But that is our long-term goal.”
The CDU parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt accuses the public broadcasters of having distanced themselves from their viewers. “We are of the opinion that in public service broadcasting, minority opinions are often stronger than the opinion of the majority,” criticizes Kurz. “For example, the broadcasters should not only let those who still want more and more climate protection have their say, but also those who have to pay for it.”
In December 2020, the CDU parliamentary group in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt voted against an increase in the broadcasting fee by 86 cents to 18.36 euros per month, which all other 15 state parliaments had previously agreed to. By withdrawing the draft law shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) saved his government coalition with the SPD and Greens and prevented a joint vote by the CDU and AfD in parliament.
In August 2021, the Federal Constitutional Court provisionally put into effect the increase in the license fee blocked by Saxony-Anhalt. The Karlsruhe court ruled that the federal state violated the freedom of broadcasting guaranteed in the Basic Law because it did not agree to the agreed state treaty.
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