Germany

[DE]Rhineland-Palatinate state media law amended

IRIS 2025-9:1/18

Dr. Jörg Ukrow

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

On 11 September 2025, the Landtag (state parliament) of Rhineland-Palatinate debated the amendment to the Landesmediengesetz (state media law) at first reading. The bill was introduced by the three governing parliamentary groups of the SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens and the FDP as well as the CDU as the opposition group. It aims to comprehensively modernise the state media law, strengthen the diversity of Rhineland-Palatinate’s media landscape and promote editorial independence.

Under the bill, press publishers will have greater opportunities to own shares in broadcasting companies, media funding will become the responsibility of the Rhineland-Palatinate media authority and clear guidelines will be created for the use of FM frequencies when they become available. At the same time, minimum standards for diversity of opinion and editorial responsibility are laid down for programmes with particular influence on the formation of public opinion. The amendment also contains new regulations on transparency and advertising labelling, and extends the law’s scope of application to digital developments and the use of AI in media production.

The bill also strengthens the position of the Rhineland-Palatinate media authority, not least in the teaching of media literacy skills. The media authority can carry out its own projects and participate in third-party initiatives aimed at promoting the media literacy skills of citizens and offering a wide range of resources to teach them how to use media services competently and critically. To this end, the media authority will not only support open channels, but also, with assistance from the state, local authorities and other partners, establish media participation venues as publicly accessible meeting spaces and educational centres in various municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate. Under the amendment, the media authority will also promote innovative digital media projects intended for publication in the areas of audio and audiovisual works such as content for broadcast-like telemedia, series, films, videos and games, including debut and newcomer productions. In addition to its supervisory tasks, the media authority will establish and operate a media library that includes content from open channels and other non-commercial organisations, particularly from the areas of local government, sport, culture, education, science and society. This is also intended to contribute to the preservation of Rhineland-Palatinate’s audiovisual heritage and audiovisual evidence of its history.

The amendments are expected to come into force on 1 January 2026.