Observed Signal · Sep 10, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: Meedia · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
BDZV Head: Shocked by Government's Ignorance of Press
In an interview with turi2, Jörg Eggers, Managing Director of the German Newspaper Publishers Association (BDZV), expresses shock at the federal government's perceived ignorance towards the press. He criticizes the lack of fair framework conditions, high taxes on newspapers, and the dominance of tech monopolies. Eggers announces alliances, including with public broadcasters and the magazine publishers association (MVFP), to advocate for media freedom and fair competition. He also discusses the challenges of physical newspaper distribution and the need for political action to secure the future of journalism.
High-level industry advocacy by major publisher association regarding regulatory and competitive issues, significant for German publishing landscape.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- BDZV and MVFP have launched the 'Bündnis Zukunft Presse' alliance.
- BDZV is in talks with Funke Mediengruppe about a possible return to the association.
- BDZV is pushing for a media summit with the federal government.
- Eggers criticizes the government for lacking willingness to create fair conditions for publishers.
- BDZV is advocating for a reduction of VAT on newspapers to zero.
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Publishers Demand Press-Impact Checks for New Laws
The Bundesverband Digitalpublisher und Zeitungsverleger (BDZV) urged the German government to introduce a mandatory 'press impact assessment' for all new laws and reforms, arguing that cumulative policy changes threaten the economic basis of a free press. BDZV highlighted planned restrictions on Minijobs as an example that could undermine early-morning delivery staffing for print newspapers. BDZV chief executive Jörg Eggers called for a short-term summit with publishers to negotiate a package including fair tax conditions, realistic delivery structures, reduced bureaucracy and a requirement that no new burdens be introduced without an obligatory impact check. The article also notes concerns about proposed changes to freedom-of-information rules that could hamper journalistic research and transparency.
German Publisher Associations Deepen Cooperation Against Big Tech
The German publisher associations BDZV and MVFP have deepened their cooperation under the initiative 'Bündnis Zukunft Presse' to jointly counter the market power of large tech companies like Google and Meta, as well as AI platforms. Announced at a BDZV annual conference in Berlin, the collaboration aims to strengthen lobbying efforts, align political positions, and jointly monitor regulatory procedures in Berlin and Brussels. Key issues include antitrust law, protection of journalistic content from AI exploitation, and ancillary copyright. Both associations will remain independent entities, with no merger planned. The cooperation builds on their existing collaboration within the 'Bündnis Freie Presse' and follows prior statements by MVFP chairman Lars Rose. Leaders Matthias Ditzen-Blanke and Lars Joachim Rose emphasize that acting together amplifies their impact against global digital corporations.
VAUNET Criticizes German Media Policy Implementation
At its annual get-together in Berlin, German private media association VAUNET celebrated but also criticized the political landscape. Chairman Claus Grewenig highlighted a 'grave implementation problem' in digital regulation, noting that 72% of digital ad revenues go to global Big Tech platforms. He criticized new legislative burdens instead of relief for private media, advocated for eased media merger rules, and urged faster implementation of the Digitale-Medien-Staatsvertrag (DMStV). Rhineland-Palatinate State Secretary Torsten Welling, who coordinates the Rundfunkkommission, defended the DMStV draft as a 'media policy masterpiece' aiming to create fair rules and address media concentration in the digital age. The event also saw a debate between Grewenig and Welling on platform regulation versus deregulation of private media.
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