Modern communication
As well as support for art and culture, Minister of State Bernd Neumann is also responsible for the Federal Government’s media policy. The rapid changes in the area of telecommunications, broadcasting and online services require substantial amendments to the existing multimedia legislation. The aim is to safeguard diversity of opinion and a diverse media landscape along with the freedom of information and particular protection for journalists.
Adapting the statutory framework to increasing digitalisation requires the economic interests of the media, their objectives in terms of their communication and cultural policies, and consumer protection to be brought into line, and new EU regulations also have to be taken into account. This applies both to the new media and equally to public and private broadcasting institutions. In the area of media policy, the coalition agreement contains a commitment to the future of dual regulation of radio broadcasting. For this reason the Minister of State for Culture and the Media is working together with the Laender within the context of the EU to ensure that the independent regulations of the EU Member States remain in force when radio broadcasting is organized under public law.
In 2007 under the German Presidency of the Council, the new EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive came in to force. Under the new Directive, surreptitious advertising and the misuse of advertising are strictly prohibited. Central elements of our democratic society, such as the protection of young people, the protection of human dignity, cultural richness and diversity of opinion and information are safeguarded in all audiovisual media offerings. In this way the Directive has set standards that will lead the way in Europe over the coming years.
Deutsche Welle, which is supported by the Minister of State for Culture and the Media to the tune of 275 million Euro in 2008, is the most important cultural ambassador for Germany’s media abroad, where it contributes to independent and pluralistic coverage. The German foreign broadcasting service cooperates closely with the other public broadcasting services of the ARD and ZDF. Around 1,400 staff worldwide work for the media company. The programmes are broadcast by radio and on the Internet portal www.dw-world.de in 30 languages. The Deutsche Welle television programme can be watched round the clock in German and English, and can also partly be received in Spanish and Arabic. The Deutsche Welle training and further education academy instructs radio staff from developing and transition countries, and is training the next generation of journalists.
Focus on film
German films are very successful both at home and abroad. Under a new film financing concept, Minister of State Bernd Neumann has markedly improved the general conditions for the German film industry. The German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) has been in force since the beginning of 2007. The fund supports the production of German cinema productions with up to 60 million Euro a year.
Following its introduction, by mid-2008 the fund had granted 86 million Euro for 142 projects which triggered another 540 million Euro worth of additional investments from third parties in Germany. As the entire German film industry benefits from the success of the new concept, Minister of State Bernd Neumann has been able to extend this funding model, which is exceptional on an international level too, until 2012.
Film support from the Minister of State for Culture and the Media also includes further funding and awards totalling more than 32 million Euro a year. These include the International Film Festival Berlinale, the German Film Prize and the Deutsche Kinemathek, as well as funding for many film productions and further awards such as the "Kinoprogrammpreis” to cinemas with an outstanding film selection over the year or the German Short Film Prize. In order to further improve the statutory framework for the German film industry the new law on film subsidies will come into force at the beginning of 2009. It provides for improved funding for screenplays and aims at strengthening the position of cinemas amongst other things.
