The demand for a digital fee targeting large internet corporations has arisen from various state governments ahead of the federal coalition committee meeting involving the Union and the Social Democrats (SPD). Dirk Schrödter, the Minister for Digitalization and Media for Schleswig-Holstein (CDU), told the “Rheinische Post” that “the digital levy must happen-and it must happen quickly”. According to Schrödter, the escalating market dominance of international major platforms poses an existential threat to local and regional media outlets.
He stressed that it cannot be allowed for global digital corporations to dominate informational spaces while the regional media landscape suffers. He added that the revenue generated from the proposed tax would make a “significant contribution” toward “sustainably strengthening the local and regional media landscape and permanently securing journalistic diversity in Germany”.
Heike Raab, the Parliamentary State Secretary for Rhineland-Palatinate’s interests at the Federal and European levels and for Media (SPD), echoed this concern in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”. She stated, “We have one of the most diverse media landscapes globally in Germany. We must ensure this for the future, and we work toward that every day. Therefore, I expressly support the introduction of a digital levy for major online platforms and search engines”.
Raab further emphasized that the funds collected must specifically support local and regional media provisions, as these are currently under immense pressure. She also highlighted the need for the levy to be structured in a coordinated, non-bureaucratic manner agreed upon by both the federal government and the states.
This significant issue is anticipated to be discussed in the governing coalition committee (composed of the Union’s colors). Wolfram Weimer, the Federal Government Spokesperson for Culture and Media, also supports a decision on the matter in the near future. Furthermore, following an initiative from Schleswig-Holstein, the Bundesrat (Federal Council) had already passed a resolution in December, calling on the federal government to submit a draft law for a levy on major online platforms in a timely manner.