9 October 2024

In opposition to the axing of 3sat under the pretext of “transferring content”
In support of the consolidation and boosting of the cultural and educational mission of public service broadcasting

Public service broadcasting needs to be reformed. This is beyond dispute. However, the bill that has now been put forward setting out a new legal framework for regulating the media (State Media Treaty, MStV) contains passages that are a threat to the cultural landscape in Germany and cannot under any circumstances be left as they are. The German Broadcasting Commission is responsible for representing and producing culture on air, and the bill falls short of this responsibility in significantly limiting the function of public service broadcasting as a pillar of democracy. The actual needs of listeners and viewers should, of course, be reviewed and adjustments made as necessary – in order to avoid reduplication, for example, in the programming being offered. This is understandable. But overall, there has been a perceptible process of impoverishment and flattening out in the realms, in all places, of culture, education and science.

It is only recently, in the Third Media Amendment Treaty, that the political class has recognised culture as the top priority in programming. The planned merger of 3sat and ARTE would make a mockery of this and clearly show that culture is the first area where savings are made.

The idea of putting together 3sat and ARTE to create one channel, euphemistically described as a process of “transferring content”, flies in the face of European integration. As a medium for culture in the German-speaking world – Switzerland, Austria and Germany – 3sat is complemented by ARTE, which covers the Franco-German axis, with the two channels combining to promote understanding at the European level. They each have a clear profile and have proved themselves indispensable on a daily basis. In addition, 3sat has an important part to play on the production front, commissioning and co-producing excellent programmes. The two channels present a wide variety of theme-based evenings, documentaries and features, not only educating audiences about culture and politics but also counteracting the anti-democratic tendencies that are currently on the rise.

The Akademie der Künste voices its express opposition to the axing of a cultural and educational channel like 3sat. The cultural function of public service broadcasting cannot be constantly undermined by regrouping processes and shifts in focus without the programme managers being given a say.

The task of upholding culture in radio and television must be in compliance with qualitative criteria. Public service broadcasting constitutes an important space in which the arts can find resonance and is a key locus of production, as stipulated too in the MStV.

The Akademie der Künste calls on the German Broadcasting Commission to safeguard the diversity of ambitious, top-quality programming and to refrain from imposing cuts on it.

Manos Tsangaris
President of the Akademie der Künste