HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) – Funke publisher Julia Becker has appealed to the federal government to implement government funding for the delivery of printed newspapers that has been planned for years. “If it stays like this, there will very soon be regions in which many readers are left behind by independent printed regional journalism,” warned the chairwoman of the supervisory board of the Funke media group in a speech at the Übersee Club in Hamburg on Wednesday evening.
Becker added: “Do we want that? Just think of rural regions, for example in Thuringia, where political extremists use fake news to stir up sentiment against democracy.”
The publisher also mentioned that she was saddened by the fact that regional journalists in particular were increasingly being physically threatened. In Thuringia, for example, they no longer allow their own journalists to report on demos without security escort. It also happens again and again that wheel nuts on journalists’ vehicles are loosened.
Becker also explained: “We know from studies in the USA and Canada that where there is no longer any independent regional journalism, corruption and abuse of power increase and involvement in local politics and associations decreases. Yes, even voter turnout drops significantly. ” The publisher also said in her speech: “The business model for good regional journalism is at risk.”
For years, press publishers have been demanding government support for the delivery of printed newspapers to remote villages. Media companies complain about increased costs and falling circulation. Paper prices also play a role.
The Übersee-Club in Hamburg regularly invites high-ranking personalities from politics, business and the media. The Funke media group – one of the largest media houses in Germany – includes regional newspapers such as “Hamburger Abendblatt”, “Berliner Morgenpost”, “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung” and “Thüringer Allgemeine”.
Some time ago, the Funke media group based in Essen decided to take an unusual step in the industry and stopped delivery to the group’s “Ostthüringer Zeitung” in some communities in the Greiz district. The focus there is completely on the e-paper.
The previous black-red federal government planned state delivery funding worth millions. But the plans failed. The red-green-yellow government was again working on possible help. It is not yet clear whether it will come.
Publisher Becker also used her speech to recall an appearance by WDR boss Tom Buhrow at the same location almost a year ago. His Overseas Club speech, in which he suggested a profound reorganization of the broadcasting landscape, sparked a debate.
The publisher linked this to the simmering conflict between public media companies and newspaper publishers, which has repeatedly emerged in recent months in varying degrees of intensity, including legal proceedings. Essentially, the question is whether the public broadcasters, which are financed by broadcasting fees, report online in a way that is too text-heavy and could be too similar to the products of newspaper companies – which is prohibited by a state treaty.
Becker explained that if you look at the websites of the major broadcasters, you will find countless regional and local news and stories – without reference to programs, which is actually necessary according to the state treaty. For many users, this is enough information.
Becker also talked about this: Because the public broadcasters’ websites are free of advertising, their news is listed at the top of Google. In contrast, the news from the regional media, which is financed, among other things, by advertising, ended up far down. That is not fair competition.
Becker added with regard to public broadcasting: “We are in discussions here, but we are miles away from a new openness on the part of public broadcasters, as Tom Buhrow has also called for.”/rin/DP/jha