- The FDP proposes legal action to include themselves in the Brandenburg television discussion.
The Liberal FDP Challenges RBB over TV Debate Exclusion for State Election
The Free Democratic Party (FDP) is filing a lawsuit against RBB to include them in a TV debate ahead of the Brandenburg state election. FDP's top candidate, Zyon Braun, stated, "By excluding a cosmopolitan and liberal party centrist that is part of the federal government, the results of the election are being preempted." This move, according to Braun, unfairly disadvantages the FDP and distorts the campaign at a crucial point.
This news was reported in "Bild am Sonntag" earlier. On Friday, an emergency application was filed at the Administrative Court in Potsdam, but initially, the court was unreachable. The elections for the new Brandenburg state parliament are scheduled for September 22.
FDP Left Out of Debate Round
RBB has invited the leading candidates of SPD, AfD, CDU, BSW, Greens, Left, and BVB/Freie Wähler for its TV debate on September 17 in Potsdam. The Free Democrats, with poll results of 2-3%, are not on the guest list, unlike other debate rounds.
These polls indicate that the FDP might miss entering the state parliament. However, it's essential to note that opinion polls are subject to uncertainties.
RBB's Reporting Principles
RBB states on its website that the choice of topics and personalities in individual formats and broadcasts are based on journalistic-editorial principles. This includes the principles of "graduated equality of opportunity," ensuring all parties are presented appropriately considering their significance and election chances.
This implies that all parties are treated equally and fairly. Significance is determined by their performance in prior elections and current poll results.
FDP Accuses Unequal Treatment
FDP leader Christian Lindner criticized that many TV viewers would not be able to hear the core beliefs of Braun because RBB excludes the FDP when presenting the leading candidates. FDP Brandenburg's lawyer, Niko Härting, contends that the relevance of a party is not determined by the most recent opinion poll but by its federal and state political significance.
The Federal government, with the FDP as a part of it, believes that their exclusion from the TV debate by RBB is preempting the election results and unfairly disadvantaging their campaign. In defense of the FDP's exclusion, RBB cites their reporting principles, which involve treating all parties equally and fairly based on their performance in prior elections and current poll results.
