Calls for policymakers to require major tech firms to contribute more to journalism financing are growing louder. According to the Funke Media Group, a growing number of voices in both the media industry and politics support a proposal put forward by Funke publisher Julia Becker. Among the supporters is Jan Ippen, founder and managing director of Ippen Digital GmbH, who describes journalism as the foundation of opinion‑forming that is increasingly under pressure online. “In the digital sphere we see a clear market imbalance among the actors involved – in obligations for neutrality and objectivity, the methods of distribution, and the share of revenue” Ippen said. He called Becker’s initiative “a serious contribution to the debate”.
Becker has most recently urged the federal government, at a conference, to adopt a digital levy on platforms such as Facebook and Google. These companies disseminate journalistic content and reap financial benefits while the newsrooms bear the costly production costs. She says the current media‑policy framework has become “out of balance”.
The move also finds political backing. Stefan Gruhner, a CDU member and the State Chancellor’s Chief of Staff as well as Thuringia’s Minister for Media, highlighted the role of regional media for democratic public life. “Our regional publishers, private media providers and cultural entrepreneurs make a vital contribution to economic value creation, regional and local media diversity, identity, and democratic public life in our state” he said.
