Rundfunkstaatsvertrag

The Rundfunkstaatsvertrag (RStV) is a treaty among the 16 German federal states that establishes the regulatory framework for broadcasting in Germany. It governs the licensing and supervision of both public and private broadcasters, outlines program requirements, and sets standards for advertising, sponsorship, and telecommunications aspects connected to broadcasting. The treaty aims to secure plurality, independence, and high-quality programming while aligning with constitutional rights and European law.

The RStV entrusts regulatory duties to the state media authorities (Landesmedienanstalten) and to broadcasting councils (Rundfunkräte) that oversee program content and organizational matters for the broadcasters within their jurisdiction. It provides the basis for licensing private broadcasters and for the supervision of public service broadcasting organizations, ensuring compliance with rules on airtime, regional coverage, accessibility, and transparency. In addition, the RStV addresses technical and administrative aspects of broadcasting, such as frequency use and the distribution of licenses, and it interacts with rules on media concentration, which are monitored by the KEK (Kommission zur Ermittlung der Konzentration im Medienbereich) in coordination with the Länder.

The RStV operates within the broader German and European legal framework. It must respect fundamental rights guaranteed by the German constitution and EU competition and media law. Amendments to the treaty reflect ongoing adaptation to digital media, online offerings, and evolving standards for consumer protection and media pluralism. The interplay with other statutes, including youth protection regulations in related state treaties, shapes the overall regulatory environment for broadcasting in Germany.