10.07.2018, Brandenburg, Sieversdorf: Ein Radio steht auf einem Schrank in einem Bad neben Zahnbürsten. (zu dpa "Wer hört welchen Radiosender? Neue Daten werden vorgestellt") Foto: Patrick Pleul/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++ | Verwendung weltweit

Frequencies are a scarce commodity, especially in a mobile digital society. The thirst for frequency is growing. Whether smart metering or quickly calling up an audiovisual source – around the clock in the forest and on the heath: Hunger is looking for satisfaction. With good reason, there is also a political struggle as to which frequencies should be used for which purposes. Most recently, when frequencies in the 700 MHz range became free as part of the Digital Dividend II, the final decision was made in the Chancellery itself after weeks of wrangling.

The next World Radio Conference is coming up. The desire for redistribution and redistribution of frequencies is growing.

However, we would do well to consider carefully. Of course, the new energy supply needs smart solutions, of course, security for citizens must be guaranteed in every situation. But for me, as the representative of Rhineland-Palatinate for the media and coordinator of the broadcasting commission of the federal states, it goes without saying that media and culture must always be easily accessible and accessible for everyone. Because media and culture are elementary for democracy and society.

When I say media, I don’t just mean the social networks, the Telegram groups or YouTube channels, but also the classic media such as radio, television and newspapers. In the coalition agreement, the traffic light coalition also clearly advocated the permanent retention of the UHF band for culture and media.

The media inform, warn, advise, educate and convey cultural content. In times of fragmented information landscapes, increasing disinformation and hate speech, quality media make an indispensable contribution to political discourse. In the information-driven society challenged by fake news and deep fakes, they are central to the democratic decision-making process and systemically relevant to democracy.

They are of outstanding importance for the preservation of free individual and public opinion formation and diversity. The federal and state governments have long since agreed in 2011 that broadcasting is part of the critical infrastructure (KRITIS).

The corona pandemic, which has been going on for two and a half years, the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley and the war in Ukraine have painfully illustrated the special social interest in resilient, self-sufficient critical infrastructures in national sponsorship.

Rarely has quality journalism by independent media been as important as in these times of crisis. The challenges are intensifying and at the same time the importance of the media with regard to the classification of information for society is increasing.

Democracy thrives on media diversity. Not only in terms of content: the variety of transmission paths also plays a significant role. In my opinion, terrestrial broadcasting has a special function in enabling media participation. There are several reasons for this: It is an integral part of the television supply, but also serves social aspects to a greater extent than cable or satellite-based broadcasting.

Access to independent information for as many people as possible is implemented through a technically low-threshold path. TV terrestrial meets this need in a special way with easy-to-use receivers, because there is no need for complex installations in the house infrastructure. The public service programs can also be received without additional access fees, while the private programs can be received for a small fee. As one of the most cost-effective ways of receiving HD content, terrestrial television thus fulfills important social functions.

In particular, media content under public law can be used without a contract, i.e. anonymously and without traceability.

As a media politician, I see it as my responsibility to create good general conditions for the freedom and independence of the media. Democracy needs frequencies, because broadcasting and culture must reach everyone. They must enable media participation as a premise of a necessary political discourse for democratic decision-making. Broadcasting and media policy are particularly democratic policy.

In addition to its special democratic function, broadcasting also plays an important role in the necessary mix of warning and information systems in the event of a disaster or crisis, due to its statutory duties. The flood disaster in the Ahr Valley showed that both the terrestrial radio and TV infrastructure have a significantly higher level of resilience than the mobile communications infrastructure in particular.

Only terrestrial broadcasting, due to its exposed and safe transmission locations with the emergency power supplies and redundant signal feeds available there, is able to continue transmitting for some time without failure. In the event of a crisis, the terrestrial scores because it can be operated independently of the Internet and thus self-sufficiently. A network overload during intensive use is excluded here, a hacker attack is difficult to imagine.

The population can be informed via terrestrial broadcasting even if, for example, during terrorist attacks, public mobile networks are temporarily switched off locally for tactical reasons. If we still manage to reach all forms of mobile devices and infotainment systems directly and barrier-free with audiovisual information using 5G broadcast and further developed technologies, we could inform the population seamlessly and create an optimal supplement to radio.

Quality content is also unthinkable without high-quality productions. Here, too, terrestrial technology is an important building block. TV frequencies have been used for more than 60 years in an interference-free symbiosis of terrestrial television broadcasting with wireless production technology, such as wireless microphones, in-ear monitors and wireless radio systems.

However, wireless production technology is not only an indispensable basis for professional radio media productions, but also for the existence of the cultural and creative industries. There is currently no comparable technical solution in sight that takes into account the essential requirements with regard to freedom from interference and latency.

I am very aware that due to the particularly good technical properties of the frequency range from 470 to 694 MHz, various players such as mobile communications, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland, the Federal Agency for Digital Radio of the authorities and organizations with security tasks and the Federal Ministry of Defence advocate a redistribution of this frequency range within the framework of the World Radio Conference 2023.

In contrast to the reductions in the TV frequency spectrum that have already taken place in the so-called “Digital Dividend I” and “Digital Dividend II”, there are currently no apparent gains in efficiency through a change in technology. The demands asserted cannot be met without reducing the TV spectrum. So it’s about nothing less than the future of antenna television.

A spectrum reduction would inevitably mean that media content could no longer be produced and distributed in its current form. A reduction in the range of programs would call into question the attractiveness of terrestrial broadcasting for both broadcasters and viewers. In the long term, it is to be feared that terrestrial broadcasting will be discontinued for economic reasons.

Against this background, I am particularly committed to ensuring that the terrestrial frequencies in the 470-694 MHz range are retained for broadcasting and the cultural sector even after the World Radio Conference 2023. Within the framework of the broadcasting commission of the federal states, we have also spoken out in favor of retaining all TV frequencies for broadcasting and cultural events after 2030. Co-primary use jeopardizes the distribution of media and cultural content.

Receptibility is not only of decisive importance for media participation in a democratic society. Frequencies ensure media and cultural diversity. For this reason, broadcasting and culture will continue to need a terrestrial frequency spectrum that can be received anywhere in the future.