Media Landscape in Germany

Germany is a country that looks back on a long history of mass media, it's first printed newspapers dating back to roughly 400 years ago. Germany now produces more the 1,500 newspapers, if you include local editions of larger publications. However, print media is on the decline, much like American news publication. In 2005 alone the penetration of daily newspapers fell from 79.1 percent to 74.8 percent.

There exists a dual-system for both public and commercial broadcasting in Germany. Landers, or states, have a large role in public broadcasting. Under the German Federal Constitution, Landers are held responsible for public broadcasting as part of their "cultural sovereignty." Commercial broadcast is controlled by two media organizations which call themselves ‘Senderfamilien’ (broadcaster families).

The German Constitution protects media freedom an freedom of expression under Grundgesetz, Art.5. However, members of the general public can appeal directly to the German Press Council (Deutscher Presserat) with complaints about information published. The German Press Council is comprosed of 20 members, 10 representatives from the journalists' organizations and 10 from the publishers' organizations. Decisions about disputed brought to the German Press Council are based upon a Press Codex, which is regularly renewed to reflect recent journalism developments.