Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM)

The Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) is the central supervisory authority for youth protection in private broadcasting and tele-media. Its responsibility lies in ensuring that broadcasters follow the youth protection provisions which are anchored in the Youth Media Protection Agreement (Jugendmedienschutz-Staatsvertrag, JMStV).

As a state media authority body, the KJM evaluates whether potential breaches against these provisions exist and determines according consequences for the providers. The KJM generally only steps in after an offering has been broadcast or distributed. The state media authority that licenced the respective broadcaster or is located in the state of the tele-media provider implements the measures decided on by the KJM (complaints, prohibitions, fines).

Responsibilities

Aside from evaluating broadcasts and internet offerings, the KJM determines air times, examines and approves encryption and blocking technology, and defines criteria for the recognition of youth protection programmes. Additionally, it files indexing applications for internet offerings and gives its view on indexing applications of the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien, BPjM).

Strengthening and developing the system of regulated self-regulation as defined in the JMStV also belongs to its core responsibilities: The JMStVe hereby pursues the goal of strengthening providers’ individual responsibility. This means: Recognised self-regulation bodies are granted a legally fixed framework for decision-making which the KJM may only examine to a limited extent. If the providers fulfil the requirements of a recognised self-regulation body, sanctions are generally only possible if the organisation oversteps its evaluation boundaries.

On request, the KJM also evaluates whether a recognised self-regulation body’s task of deciding on an age rating should be carried out by the highest State Youth Authority.

Chairman

Marc Jan Eumann

Dr. Marc Jan Eumann

Director of the Media Authority of Rhineland-Palatinate

Contact

die medienanstalten - ALM GbR

Joint Management Office Friedrichstraße 60 10117 Berlin

Lockbox:
08 02 63 | 10002 Berlin
Phone:
+49 30 2064690-51
Fax:
+49 30 2064690-99
E-Mail:
kjm@die-medienanstalten.de