Der Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag der Länder

Who, actually, legislates broadcasting law? Using the example of the reform of the financing of public service broadcasting, the work subjects the role of the state parliaments in nationwide reforms of the broadcasting system a constitutional investigation. Following an explanation of the cooperation between the federal states by state treaties and the conclusion procedure of broadcasting treaties, the author analyses, with recourse also to parliamentary documents, the genesis and the legislative procedure of this reform.
At the centre of her work, on the basis of the constitutional principles of democratic legitimacy, separation of powers, the requirement of parliamentary approval and the publicity and transparency of sovereign action, the author then points out that the state parliaments should not be limited to a mere rubber-stamping. Eventually, as a means of strengthening their role, the spotlight is on the governments’ duty to provide the parliaments with information.