Future media subsidies remain controversial
There are still differences over future media subsidies. The Council of States has given in on three of the six points. However, unlike the National Council, it still does not want to impose any additional restrictions on the SRG's online offering. The Councils also disagree on the amount of the fee share and the duration of the subsidy.
The matter will therefore go to the National Council for the third and final time. The National Council will deal with it again on Thursday. If there are still differences with the Council of States, there will be an agreement conference on June 15, as the parliamentary services announced on request.
The Commission for Transport and Telecommunications of the Council of States (KVF-S) weights the public service mission of the SRG higher than the competitive situation with private companies, said commission spokesman Stefan Engler (center/GR) on Tuesday, justifying the adherence to the current regulation for the SRG online area.
Not without consulting the industry
Further restrictions would contradict the usage habits and demands of the audience. In addition, further restrictions would also affect areas that would hardly be covered by private providers - especially culture and education.
The SRG's online offering is regulated in the concession and does not belong in the law, said Media Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. At the very least, further restrictions should be rejected without consulting the industry.
The difference regarding the amount of the fee for licensed radio and TV broadcasters also remains. The Council of States is sticking to "at least 8 percent". The National Council is in favor of a range of 6 to 8 percent. Currently, the share is 6 percent, which corresponds to 81 million francs in subsidies for the private broadcasters.
Agreement on training and online start-ups
The Council of States has followed the National Council with regard to eligibility for contributions for the training and continuing education of journalists. The certificates and diplomas must be recognized by the industry. The requirement for a university level of degrees was dropped by the Council of States.
The Council of States also followed the National Council on Tuesday with regard to the possibility of promoting start-ups in the online sector. It is not a question of large sums of money, said Sommaruga. This would enable certain developments in the new media areas.
The small chamber also agreed with the National Council on the assessment of the contribution to eligible sales. It should be 60 percent of net sales. However, Engler stressed that this was linked to the hope and expectation that the National Council would follow the compromise proposal of the Council of States with regard to the time limit for media subsidies.
The small chamber proposes a time limit of 7 years for direct and indirect media funding. After 4 years, the evaluation of the effects of the new regulations is to begin. The National Council has so far insisted on a time limit of 5 years and an evaluation after just 3 years. 7 and 4 years respectively are a good compromise on this issue, said Sommaruga.
120 million more for the media
The Councils have reached agreement on the question of whether financial resources should be allowed to flow abroad for the benefit of news agencies. The Council of States has joined the National Council, which wants to allow business connections abroad. However, no financial resources - such as dividend payments - may flow out as long as the support from the federal government is ongoing.
In total, the future funding measures are expected to provide the media with CHF 120 million more, directly or indirectly, than today. The package includes amendments to the Postal Act, the Federal Radio and Television Act (RTVA) and a new federal law on the promotion of online media. (SDA)
