Calls for the abolition of Billag
Calls for the abolition of Billag are growing louder. Price watchdog Stefan Meierhans and consumer advocate Simonetta Sommaruga also no longer see any justification for the collection agency.
Calls for the abolition of Billag are getting louder and louder. Even price watchdog Stefan Meierhans and consumer advocate Simonetta Sommaruga no longer see any justification for a separate company that collects reception fees on behalf of the federal government. The Foundation for Consumer Protection (SKS) has submitted a paper to the responsible committee of the National Council calling for the abolition of Billag.
In an interview with the Sonntagszeitung newspaper, Meierhans said that the CHF 55 million that Billag receives from the federal government for collecting the fees should be used to reduce the fees. Meierhans proposes a new model of a per capita fee to be collected with the federal tax. However, care must be taken to ensure that the system is family-friendly. The price watchdog does not consider it sensible to abolish the fees and finance the SRG from the federal treasury.
Although Billag still has a contract until 2014, Meierhans is calling for a change before then. According to the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), however, a change is unlikely. The federal government must comply with the contract, DETEC spokesperson Daniel Bach told SDA. The fee system is to be reviewed at the next tender.
Recently, television and radio use via computer or cell phone has also been subject to charges. As a result, practically all households in Switzerland now pay Billag fees, SKS President Simmonetta Sommaruga told the Sonntagszeitung newspaper. A simple, inexpensive structure is now needed to collect the fees.
Billag has been under fire for some time now. A community of over 29,000 people has formed on the Facebook website under the title "Bye Bye Billag", calling for its abolition. A popular initiative of the same name is also in preparation.
In an interview with the Sonntagszeitung newspaper, Meierhans said that the CHF 55 million that Billag receives from the federal government for collecting the fees should be used to reduce the fees. Meierhans proposes a new model of a per capita fee to be collected with the federal tax. However, care must be taken to ensure that the system is family-friendly. The price watchdog does not consider it sensible to abolish the fees and finance the SRG from the federal treasury.
Although Billag still has a contract until 2014, Meierhans is calling for a change before then. According to the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), however, a change is unlikely. The federal government must comply with the contract, DETEC spokesperson Daniel Bach told SDA. The fee system is to be reviewed at the next tender.
Recently, television and radio use via computer or cell phone has also been subject to charges. As a result, practically all households in Switzerland now pay Billag fees, SKS President Simmonetta Sommaruga told the Sonntagszeitung newspaper. A simple, inexpensive structure is now needed to collect the fees.
Billag has been under fire for some time now. A community of over 29,000 people has formed on the Facebook website under the title "Bye Bye Billag", calling for its abolition. A popular initiative of the same name is also in preparation.
