The Press Council takes stock of 2007
In its recently published «2008 Annual Report,» the Swiss Press Council reviewed the past year and assessed its own work. It handled 63 cases, roughly the same number as in previous years.
In its recently published "Annual Report 2008", the Swiss Press Council reviews the past year and takes stock of its own work. Last year, it concluded a total of 63 complaints with a reasoned opinion. The three most frequent complaints it had to deal with last year were violation of the principle of fairness, violation of privacy and unjustified naming of names. Four to five cases each were dealt with. In two cases, the requirement to separate editorial and advertising content was disregarded. In total, the Press Council upheld 25 complainants in part or in full.
Some of the rejected complaints wrongly assume that the medium is obliged to print letters to the editor. The view that the Press Council prescribes a duty of objectivity and balance cannot be eradicated either. "The main obligations demanded by the Journalists' Code are respect for privacy, fairness and transparency," the annual report states.
The Press Council repeatedly rejects complaints because the parties claim contradictory facts without providing any evidence, as reported by SDA. The Press Council itself cannot demand evidence or summon opposing parties.
