The main focus of the collaboration of the State Media Authorities is the promotion of programming diversity and thus freedom of information and opinion in commercial television and radio. This involves, in addition to controlling media power by means of licensing limitations and license monitoring, also the promotion of the media literacy of viewers and listeners.

The State Media Authorities are also responsible for compliance of commercial TV and radio broadcasters with basic programming principles. They see to the observance of regulations on advertising limitations or the protection of minors. Other general tasks concern the use of the cable networks and the guarantee of equal access to digital services for public and commercial broadcasters.

The common tasks are carried out by the Commission on Licensing and Supervision (ZAK), the Conference of Directors of the State Media Authorities (DLM), the Conference of Chairpersons of the Decision-Taking Councils (GVK), the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) and the Commission on Concentration in the Media (KEK). In addition the ZAK Representatives for Editorial and Advertising Content and for Platform Regulation and Digital Access contribute their expertise. Further commissioners of the DLM are responsible for finances, European affairs, radio, legal affairs and media literacy / citizen's media. The Technical Conference of the State Media Authorities (TKLM) advises on technical matters.