As of: January 29, 2024, 1:40 p.m
By: Robin Dittrich
Comments
Press
Split
There could be a significant increase in the broadcasting fee in 2025.
But over three million people don't pay this at all, even though they have to.
Frankfurt – 18.36 euros per apartment are debited from the account for the broadcasting fee per month.
However, if certain conditions are met, you can be exempt from payments.
However, there are also people who simply don't pay.
In total, there are currently just over 3 million defaulting contributors.
Some of them are probably non-payers - but not all of them.
For CSU General Secretary Martin Huber, this is a sign that the public broadcasters are in a crisis of trust,
Bild
quotes him as saying .
In view of this, Huber is calling for reforms instead of an increase in contributions.
Broadcasting fees are due to increase in 2025 - there is no majority for this in the federal states
The current contribution period, with a monthly broadcasting fee of 18.36 euros paid by households and companies, runs until the end of 2024. In February, the independent finance commission KEF is scheduled to discuss how high the broadcasting fee should be from 2025.
This recommendation is made to the countries, which must follow it closely.
A preliminary draft mentioned 18.94 euros that each apartment would have to pay from 2025.
The broadcasting fee could be increased in 2025.
However, many people don't have to pay this at all - others refuse.
© Zoonar/Imago (symbol image)
So far there has been no majority in the federal states in favor of a monthly increase.
Heike Raab, coordinator of the Broadcasting Commission and Rhineland-Palatinate Media State Secretary, spoke of a very different situation among the states responsible for media policy.
Several prime ministers made it clear months ago that they wanted to oppose an increase in broadcasting fees.
Even going to the Federal Constitutional Court is not out of the question.
Increase in broadcasting fees planned – three million are in arrears with their payments
Some people are certainly not concerned with the increase in the broadcasting fee because they are exempt from paying it.
This includes people who receive citizen's benefit, BAföG, basic security or a benefit under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act.
An exemption from the contribution must be applied for at the contribution service and proof of receipt of the benefit must be provided.
In 2022, almost 2.84 million people were exempt from paying, according to the annual report from the contribution service.
It states that almost 3.22 million households are “in the collection process or in enforcement”.
However, as
Bild
quotes the contribution service, there is "no evidence that the number of late contributors who pay contributions are 'contribution refusers'." Compared to 2020, the number of contribution accounts in a reminder level fell slightly, as did the number of people an exemption or reduction is also clear.
(
rd with dpa
)