Self-Government And Broadcasting Freedom : Germany

. Each of the public broadcasting corporations is in general controlled by three bodies: the Broadcasting Council, the Administrative Council and the Director-General. The members of the Broadcasting Council are representatives of the various groups in society. They are elected by the state parliaments or nominated by the political parties, religious communities and business and cultural organizations. The Broadcasting Council advises the Director-General on programming and ensures that basic principles are observed. The Administrative Council draws up the corporation’s budget and watches over day-to-day management. Its members are for the most part elected by the Broadcasting Council. The Broadcasting Council elects the Director-General, who runs the corporation in accordance with the decisions of the Broadcasting and Administrative Councils. He is responsible for program content and represents the corporation in its external relations.

The public corporations may not favor any political persuasion and must maintain a balanced content. This restriction of the freedom of broadcasting serving to promote public opinion formation does not prejudice the individual editor’s right to express decided points of view. The overall programming of the public corporations must, however, reflect an appropriate balance of different opinions.