Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz and Keno C. Potthast write about science communication in between legal protection and the need for regulation in their contribution to "Wissenschaftspolitik im Dialog [Science Policy in Dialogue]", the publication series of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
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Abstract
The promotion of journalism, including science journalism, is constitutionally possible in principle. However, it is strictly limited by the requirements of state neutrality, content neutrality and the principle of equality. In terms of competence law, the legislative competence is incumbent on the Länder, although a federal competence via the law of the economy can certainly be constructed. In the latter case, however, the subsidies would have to be characterised by an economic promotion focus. Under EU law, exceptions to the prohibition of state aid, particularly under Article 107 (3c) TFEU, appear to be entirely possible in the area of journalism subsidies.
Schulz, W; Potthast, K. C. (2021): Wissenschaftskommunikation und ihre Förderung aus verfassungsrechtlicher Perspektive [Science Communication and its Funding from a Constitutional Perspective]. In Wissenschaftspolitik im Dialog 15/2021. Berlin: Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften. pp. 11-31
