After the KEF contribution recommendation was not implemented by the federal states, ARD and ZDF have now lodged a complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe.

In February 2024, the Commission to Determine the Financial Requirements of Broadcasters (KEF) recommended adjusting the broadcasting contribution by 58 cents per month or 0.8% per year from 1 January 2025. To date, however, the federal states have not submitted an Interstate Broadcasting Financing Treaty to implement the proposal. No corresponding draft was adopted at the Conference of Minister Presidents in October 2024 either. An official justification for the non-implementation of the contribution recommendation was not presented.

How the ARD press release However, it is no longer possible to implement the statutory KEF procedure in the remaining six weeks of the year. Several federal states have indicated that they are in favour of a contribution adjustment, while a few states continue to rule out a contribution adjustment. However, unanimous action by the federal states is required here. According to the KEF, a failure to adjust contributions would "jeopardise the funding necessary for the broadcasters to fulfil their current mandate".

ARD and ZDF are therefore now submitting this to the Federal Constitutional Court for review and filing a constitutional complaint. Kai Gniffke, Chairman of ARD and Director-General of SWR: "This step is difficult for us, but we cannot accept a violation of the procedure. We bear responsibility beyond the next four years for the long-term safeguarding of non-state funding and thus for journalistic independence as a component of broadcasting freedom. This is regulated by law, and laws must be observed. The law and adherence to the law know no compromise."

ZDF Director General Dr Norbert Himmler said: "The independence of our reporting stands and falls with the independence of our funding. A look at the world's trouble spots and the growing uncertainty in Germany once again shows how valuable public service broadcasting is as a guarantor of reliable information for society. The constitution stipulates that it must be adequately funded for this purpose. As the federal states are not implementing the KEF's contribution recommendation, we have no other option but to lodge another appeal in Karlsruhe."

According to ZDF press release the licence fee, measured in terms of purchasing power, has fallen over the past 20 years. The increase of 58 cents per month from 1 January 2025 (from 18.36 to 18.94 euros) recommended by the KEF in February corresponds to an increase of just 0.8 percent per year and is therefore well below the rate of inflation.

Further information can be found in the ARD press portal and from the ZDF here .