RBB may not show election results from small parties separately

A bang for election reports! The Federal Constitutional Court has decided that the Bundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) is not forced to separate the results of small and small parties for reporting on the upcoming elections in Brandenburg! On Saturday, September 21, 2024, this trend -setting decision of the Hochgericht was a clear victory for the editorial freedom of the media.

The RBB had made an application (1 BVQ 57/24) to tip a previous decision by the Higher Administrative Court in Berlin-Brandenburg. The animal welfare party had pointed out this dish that it would have to be shown separately if it achieved more than two percent of the vote. But the Federal Constitutional Court has now left this requirement!

a clear sign of program freedom

In his directional decision, the court made it clear that the RBB's freedom of program must not only be protected from state but also from any external influence. RBB editor-in-chief David Biesinger said: "The decision protects our editorial freedom. Content and form of election reporting do not determine the parties." This makes it clear that journalistic independence remains secured on election evening!

The court referred to the fact that the main interest in the election report is how the seats in the future parliament are distributed and what majority relationships influence the formation of the upcoming government. The determination of presenting the results of parties with over two percent electing share separately would be a serious intervention in the editorial freedom of design. This ban would have severely restricted the journalistic possibilities of the RBB!

Strengthening journalistic independence

The RBB Justitiarin Kerstin Skiba also expressed itself optimistically: "The election reporting can now be based on the specific results and not to formal specifications. This strengthens journalistic independence on the election evening." A clear advantage for the RBB, which can now choose flexibly and independently how the election report is designed!

This decision sets a strong sign: The RBB can represent the political events in Brandenburg as they are - without outside specifications! This is a clear request to all media to defend their editorial freedom and not be able to be steered by political influences. A day full of joy for journalists and a victory for the freedom of reporting!

Potsdam and Berlin look forward to the upcoming state election on September 22, 2024. The developments of the past few weeks show how important the independence of the media is in elective times. A fighting spirit that is urgently needed in the current political landscape!