Page 119 - Communication and Citizenship Journalism and the Public Sphere

108 COMMUNICATION AND CITIZENSHIP

It is appropriate here to recall that, among other things, the
Constitutional Court saw the public responsibility of all broadcasting as
vital to the democratic process. But ironically, in order to compete with
the private sector for the same audience, the popular radio channels on
the public stations, which sell the most airtime, have restyled their news
output and relegated background information and serious reporting to
specialist channels.
The real innovation of private broadcasting is local radio, although its
economic viability is far from secure. Local news and information
clearly meet a need. Although radio competes with local newspapers, it
is faster. Different teams of radio and newspaper journalists often
compete with one another, although frequently employed by the same
publisher. But there have also been reports of local radio stations simply
reproducing newspaper items without even mentioning the source; and
much local news is often little more than announcements of forthcoming
events.
But it is mainstream pop and rock that is the staple fare of the
commercial radio stations. In addition there are a few specialist
services, such as jazz stations. But in general, expansion has produced
more of the same and little diversity in available programming.
The changes in private television have been similar. Apart from a few
business programmes and music videos, the huge increase in
programme hours has given audiences more light entertainment and talk
shows; and more of the same old films and series. In line with its young
modern image, RTL plus pulls its audiences with light-hearted sexual
advice programmes and soft porn shows, while SAT 1 cherishes its
image of a dignified family channel.
Meanwhile, the public-service corporations are increasingly strapped
for cash. So far, they have only managed to get a limited increase in the
licence fee. They are facing competition in the sale of airtime,
especially in radio. And there is a huge increase in the costs of
television programme material and programme rights. All this can be
felt in their programming policies. Instead of increasing pluralism,
economic competition is eating away at the edges of the constitutional
cornerstone of the German broadcasting system.
The ARD radio channels have been streamlined, thus jettisoning the
traditional public-service ideal of mixed channels. The aim of the
exercise is to build listener loyalty to one radio channel, by creating a
predictable and firm programme structure and establishing channels
with identifiably distinct outputs of music and news, like those in BBC
radio. Less money is available for cultural specials, such as experimental