Minister of State for Culture Weimer: US media monopolies are emerging in Germany

Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer warns that digital platforms and streaming providers are revolutionizing the entire media landscape. "This means that media monopolies of American origin are effectively emerging here," he told the "Rheinische Post." "Our system is not only under pressure, but is facing existential concerns," he added. Because diversity of opinion in Germany is threatened, he has invited representatives of streaming providers to the Chancellery next week.

Weimer renewed his controversial call for a digital levy for online platforms. "We are in intensive discussions on this," he added. There is resistance to this within the federal government. The coalition agreement between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) merely states that they are "examining" a so-called platform levy, which would affect large internet companies such as Google's parent company Alphabet or the Facebook group Meta.

"For streamers, we're considering introducing a requirement: Anyone who does business in Germany in the future and benefits from the German market and tax-financed subsidies should be obligated to reinvest in German film productions." This is possible under European law. "If we achieve this, we will change the market sustainably. Amazon, Disney, and Netflix generate significant revenue here and should therefore also contribute to Germany as a production location."

Weimer also announced an increase in federal film funding. "This year, we are already providing more than 100 million euros and have raised the incentive funding to 30 percent of production volume," he said. However, he will revise the funding, as the German film industry is in crisis. There is too little investment, major producers are avoiding Germany, and the infrastructure is in danger of deteriorating. Weimer called for more films that must be made for a wider audience.