States within Germany are increasingly demanding the implementation of a digital levy on major internet conglomerates, a push that is set to be discussed before the ruling coalition committee. Dirk Schrödter, the Commissioner for Digitization and Media in Schleswig-Holstein (CDU), stated to the “Rheinische Post” that the levy is urgently needed. He argued that the continuous market dominance exerted by international platforms poses an existential challenge to local and regional media outlets. Schrödter stressed that it is unacceptable for regional journalism to be marginalized by global digital giants. He noted that the revenue generated from this future levy would make a significant contribution toward sustainably strengthening the local media landscape and permanently guaranteeing journalistic diversity across Germany.
This sentiment was echoed by State Secretary Heike Raab of Rheinland-Pfalz (SPD). Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, she acknowledged that Germany boasts one of the most diverse media landscapes globally, which must be safeguarded for the future. She thus “expressly supports the introduction of a digital levy for large online platforms and search engines”. Raab specified that the funds collected should be directed particularly toward local and regional media services, as these sectors are currently under immense pressure. Furthermore, she emphasized that the structure of the levy must be designed in coordination between the federal government and the states, while remaining non-bureaucratic and separate from state political pressures.
This issue is expected to be debated by the ruling coalition’s internal committee. Wolfram Weimer, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media, is also pushing for an immediate decision. The momentum for this demand was established previously, as the Federal Council (Bundesrat) passed a resolution in December, initiated by Schleswig-Holstein, calling upon the federal government to promptly present a draft law for a levy on large online platforms.
