12. Media

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Available media and radio toll

In Germany a wide range of media is offered in the form of newspapers, radio and TV stations as well as online services. Media in Germany are independent, and journalists are free to report about all subjects (freedom of press).

The largest German daily newspapers are (after the yellow-press paper Die Bild) Süddeutsche Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Die Welt. They inform about topics in politics, economy and culture. Regional papers like Mitteldeutsche Zeitung report, in addition to international and national subjects, also about local and regional events. The free Amtsblatt (Official Gazette) is published by the City of Dessau-Roßlau once a month and contains news about current local issues. The free monthly event magazine Leo is published for the Anhalt region. Inter alia, you can get the Amtsblatt (Official Gazette) and the Leo magazine in the Bürgerbüro (Citizens' Office).

There are public and private radio and TV stations. According to the German Basic Law, the broadcasting stations under public law shall guarantee the diversity of opinion. The TV programs of Das Erste, ZDF, 3sat, MDR and the radio stations of Deutschlandradio, mdr aktuell, mdr Sachsen-Anhalt etc. provide information and entertainment. They are financed by the radio toll, which has to be paid for every flat. When this Guide was published (in the beginning of 2023), the monthly toll amounted to € 18,36. When you are granted benefits from the Jobcenter, the Welfare and Integration Office or BAföG, you may apply for exemption from this toll. You have to file an application for this exemption at the Beitragsservice (Toll Service). You can find this application form on the homepage of the toll service, in the Jobcenter and the Citizens' Office. Please enclose your current decision notice on the benefit you are paid.

Private radio and TV stations are financed by advertising or payment models. The regional station RAN1 broadcasts for the Anhalt region. It reports on events and news of Dessau-Roßlau and its surroundings. There is also the Offenen Kanal Dessau, (Open Channel Dessau), funded by donations and public subsidies. It broadcasts a program made by citizens.

Telephone, web and cable TV

To use the web and a fixed telephone network connection in your flat, you have to apply for a connection by a telecommunication provider. Before you enter in a contract, compare the cost, services provided and the term of the contract. Inform yourselves on comparable portals in the web about the cost, services and terms before you enter in a contract on mobile telephony. You have to bear the cost of the web and the telephone, even when you are granted benefits by the Welfare and Integration Office or the Jobcenter.

In many rented flats, the landlord prohibits the installation of a satellite dish. In these flats, TV is usually received via a cable connection for a separate fee. When you are granted benefits from the Jobcenters or the Amtes für Soziales und Integration (Welfare and Integration Office) you can apply that they bear these costs. This payment is only possible when the costs of the existing cable connection are a component of your tenancy agreement.

In the inner city of Dessau-Roßlau, there is free web access on the road Zerbster Straße and in the front of the main station. For two hours, all people in the city can check e-mails or find information about the city. The only action you have to take is to select the WLAN network "Dessau-Rosslau_public" on your laptop, tablet or smartphone, and accept the provider's terms of use. That's all to start!

1. Basic rights

2. Stay in Dessau-Roßlau

3. Money

4. Housing

5. Health and medical care

6. Education

7. Children and family

8. Leisure activities

13. Cohabitation and religion

14. Assistance offers