German Official Warns of Media Bankruptcies, Proposes Platform Levy
In an interview Wolfram Weimer discusses recent German federal measures to boost the film industry, including a 250 million euro film booster and an Investitionsverpflichtungsgesetz (investment obligation law). He says planned film funding will fall by 50 million euros in 2027 but argues public funding must be combined with mandatory private investment, expecting roughly €15 billion in new investments. Weimer rules out the previously discussed up-front tax-incentive model and instead proposes a digital levy ('Plattform‑Soli' / 'Digitalsoli') to support journalism and counterbalance the power of large social platforms. He warns of a looming wave of bankruptcies across local media and calls for tougher regulation, antitrust action, and even shifting European ownership of TikTok. The interview also references political negotiations at federal and state level over the levy and distribution mechanisms.
- •German federal film booster of €250 million was launched this summer.
- •Weimer says film funding will be €50 million lower in 2027 compared with initial plans.
- •Wolfram Weimer advanced an Investitionsverpflichtungsgesetz with an eight percent mandate (designed as effectively 12% via an opt-out model).