Questions about FSF membership
 

What are the benefits of FSF membership?

Providers who join a self-regulation institution and abide by its precepts enjoy several advantages within the system of regulated self-regulation. By submitting content relevant to youth protection, they obtain liability privileges that exclude direct sanctions by the authorities. In other words, a provider who has a programme evaluated by the FSF prior to transmission, and who observes the corresponding age rating when disseminating it, gains the maximum possible protection from such sanctions. Fines of up to €500,000 can be avoided in this way.

One benefit of membership is that content can be submitted for examination at reduced fees, and the results will provide the member with a considerable degree of legal security in terms of the German Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV). Member broadcasters can access an online database containing all the evaluations relating to submissions examined by the FSF. This means they can also make use of age ratings already issued for other broadcasters. Youth Protection Officers who work for our member broadcasters are regularly invited to our events and training services and receive the publications issued by the FSF free of charge (see also The FSF for media providers).
 

Who can become a member of the FSF?

In principle, any provider of moving images can become a member of the FSF.
 

How do I become a member?

If you are interested in FSF membership, please contact our office. We will be happy to arrange a consultation.
 

How much will membership cost me?

Membership fees are generally a combination of a basic amount and a sum calculated by quota. For smaller digital TV broadcasters, we offer a flat fee for membership. Individual examinations are charged separately (cf. How much does an examination cost?). If you are interested, please contact our office – we will be happy to advise you.
 

Can I submit items for examination without being a member?

Naturally, you do not have to be an FSF member to submit content for us for examination. Your content might cover such areas as film, TV series, documentaries, scripted reality, shows, news, music videos, trailers or commercials – in short, in principle the FSF boards will examine moving pictures of every kind. However, for non-members we have to charge a different price (cf. How much does an examination cost?).