The new state media treaty in Germany with rules for broadcasting and online platforms comes into force. “Today the last ratification document for the state treaty for the modernization of the media order in Germany has been deposited,” announced the Rhineland-Palatinate media state secretary Heike Raab (SPD) as coordinator of the broadcasting commission of the federal states in Mainz on Friday. The whole thing will come into effect on Saturday (November 7th).

For social media and search engines The Interstate Media Treaty is intended to replace the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty in force since 1991, which lays down the rules for broadcasting. What’s new: It also applies to online platforms such as smart TVs, i.e. TV sets with internet access and user interfaces, as well as to social media and platforms such as search engines that provide media content but do not produce it themselves.

Internet platforms should, for example, make it transparent in future which algorithms they use to show media content. Platforms are also not allowed to push certain content into the background without a justified reason.

Incidentally, the State Media Treaty does not regulate the amount of the broadcasting fee. This is stipulated in another international treaty.

(tiw)