We are the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia
We are committed to freedom of expression.
As an independent regulatory authority for private broadcasting and telemedia in North Rhine-Westphalia, we have a statutory mandate. Our role is to safeguard a democratic media system—one that upholds freedom of expression and protects human dignity, young people, and users, while promoting media diversity.
Protection of Human Dignity
Human dignity is inviolable. This is enshrined in the first article of our Constitution, and it should really go without saying. Yet in the media—and especially on the internet—it is all too often violated, and this fundamental right is infringed upon; depictions of violence, incitement to hatred, and criminal forms of hate speech are examples of such violations. We are committed to ensuring that such violations are identified, removed, and their authors prosecuted. In this way, we fight to protect human dignity—including through the use of artificial intelligence.
Protection of Minors
Pornography is not suitable for children. Nevertheless, it is often freely accessible online. We show how children and adolescents can be protected from such content. And we are committed to helping young people find their way in an online world that only appears to have no boundaries. We make it easy to report crimes such as cybergrooming. We hold providers accountable to comply with our laws. After all, children have the right to navigate the internet freely and without fear. This is how we effectively implement youth protection in practice.
Protection of Users
We are committed to protecting the democratic media system. That sounds good. But what do the media have to do with democracy? A great deal! The media are a source of information on current events, a forum for social dialogue, and a source of inspiration for life. They play a decisive role in shaping how we live together in a democracy, what people vote for, and what our politicians advocate for. That’s why it’s problematic when people are misled by the media. Here, we explain what we’re doing to protect users, how we’re tackling disinformation and missing advertising disclosures, who can help with questions about everyday media use—and how we’re handling AI.
Protection of Diversity
Protecting, promoting, and developing diversity in North Rhine-Westphalia as a media hub—that is one of our core missions. Democracy needs media diversity, which is why we support media professionals and assist editorial teams and media companies in developing innovative offerings in North Rhine-Westphalia. Through our traineeship program, we provide a versatile entry point into the best industry in the world—and help people in North Rhine-Westphalia to actively participate in the conversation and publish their work. This is how we ensure the protection of diversity.
Everything we do stems from these principles.
We combat hate and digital violence and are committed to ensuring that the internet - including for children and young people - is a free and, above all, safe space. We promote digitalization and new technologies. We conduct scientific research that supports us in fulfilling our mission and that can be utilized by lawmakers, educational institutions, and market participants. We are committed to ensuring that our media laws in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Europe are in step with the times. We promote and strengthen diversity in North Rhine-Westphalia as a media hub. We simplify media participation, provide guidance on media use, and offer assistance when questions or problems arise.
And we always keep current laws in mind when media content is created and used. Today’s world offers the greatest possible freedom - we must allow this freedom and we must protect it.
We are convinced that it takes the commitment of every democrat and a great deal of courage to defend our democratic order time and again. Through our work, we are doing our part.
More Information
In 1987, we were founded as the “State Broadcasting Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LfR)” under the “Broadcasting Act for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia” (LRG NW). On July 31, 2002, a new State Media Act (LMG NRW) went into effect, which also included a name change for the media authority. Since then, we have been known as the “State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LFM)” and, since July 2018, as the “State Media Authority of NRW.” Our headquarters are located in Düsseldorf’s Media Harbor.
Part of "die medienanstalten"
Under the umbrella brand “die medienanstalten”, the 14 state media authorities collaborate on key tasks and projects. This ensures that private radio and television stations nationwide are regulated uniformly and that the media authorities speak with one voice in European media policy. The state media authorities operate on the basis of the State Media Treaty, as well as the State Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media, state media laws, and the AVMSD. You can find all relevant legal provisions here.
Director and Executives
Director
Dr. Tobias Schmid
Head of Finance
Vanessa Kehm
Head of Human Resources
Markus Kamps
Chair of the Media Commission
Prof. Dr. Werner Schwaderlapp
Head of Administration
Michael Dimitrov
Head of Media Education
Sabrina Nennstiel
Deputy Director
Dr. Petra Gerlach
Head of Media Policy and Innovation
Head of Communications
Marie-Franca Hesse
Head of the Committee Office
Thomas Fritz
Head of Media Diversity and Innovation
Simone Jost-Westendorf
Head of Intermediaries and Research
Dr. Meike Isenberg
Head of Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Dr. Laura Braam
Head of the Director's Office and Strategic Management
Nele Nieuwenhuis
Legal Basis for Our Work
As a public broadcaster, we are independent of the state and private interests. The legal basis for our work is the North Rhine-Westphalia State Media Act (LMG NRW) and, among other things, the State Media Treaty (MStV). With regard to issues concerning the protection of minors in the media, the State Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV) is authoritative.
However, broadcasting and internet services cannot be confined to the borders of the federal states. Although broadcasting is—in principle—a matter for the states under the Basic Law, the state media authorities have organized some of their tasks jointly. They collaborate in various decision-making bodies, particularly on issues of supraregional significance. This ensures that decisions of cross-state or supraregional significance are made and addressed in a coordinated manner. In addition, other directives, agreements, and conventions at the European level also play a role.