Publishers Lament: Politicians Ignore Obligation to Assist Media Industry

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In a recent statement, Lehari accused politicians of not taking any action regarding the future of the press, despite their constitutional duty to do so. This feels like neglect to him. As a board member for the Federal Association of Publishers and Booksellers (BDZV), he is attending the Association of Southwest German Publishers (VSZV)'s annual meeting this Wednesday in Stuttgart.

Publishing houses have been requesting support for the rising costs of delivering printed newspapers for quite some time. "Despite previous statements, no action has been taken. This is puzzling," stated Lehari. As a result, the industry is now considering lowering the VAT rate for both printed and digital offers from publishers, as well as promoting digital content to help with the transformation.

In mid-May, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner mentioned that he could possibly provide funding for newspaper delivery: He would "discuss" how this could be done with "limited funds." Lehari emphasized the importance of the government assisting the publishing industry during its digital media transformation, just like other industries. "For us, it's never been about continuous aid. We need temporary assistance during the transition."

Lehari also expressed frustration with the EU leadership in Brussels. "They're not responding to our concerns. Our messages are being ignored," he said. While there are initiatives to regulate large digital platforms, Lehari believes that the current tools are not sufficient for a thorough implementation, including potentially dismantling these companies like Google.

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1. Lehari, as a representative of the German Press Agency based in Berlin, has voiced concerns about the future of the media industry in Germany.
2. The Annual General Meeting of the BDZV, a prominent organization in the Publishing industry, will take place in Baden-Württemberg's capital, Stuttgart.
3. Publishers across Europe are looking to leaders in Brussels for assistance, seeking regulation of large digital platforms to level the playing field.
4. With a growing reliance on broadcasting and digital media, the need for temporary assistance during the industry's transformation has become crucial for newspapers publishers in Southwest Germany.
5. The German government, led by Finance Minister Christian Lindner, has hinted at potential funding for newspaper delivery, stating the need for "limited discussions" to find a viable solution.
6. In light of the challenges faced by the media industry, Lehari has called for collaboration between the government, publishers, and media organizations to enable a smooth transition to the digital age.
7. The future of the media landscape in Germany and beyond is being shaped by the decisions made during the Annual General Meeting of influential organizations like BDZV and by the voices of advocates like Lehari, representing numerous newspaper publishers.

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