Commission in favor of rejecting the media agreement
The Foreign Affairs Committee (APK) of the Council of States intends to refer the media agreement with the EU back to the Federal Council. The reason for this is that the film funding program is linked to the authorization of alcohol advertising in foreign TV advertising blocks.
The Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) of the Council of States wants to refer the media agreement with the EU back to the Federal Council. The reason for this is that the film promotion program is linked to the approval of alcohol advertising in foreign TV advertising windows. The APK unanimously approved the referral motion, as reported by the parliamentary services on Wednesday. The Federal Council is instructed to work with the EU to find ways of taking better account of Switzerland's media policy interests with its bans on advertising for alcohol, politics and religion.
Nevertheless, the Commission has approved the CHF 16.5 million commitment credit for financing provisional participation in the media agreement for the years 2007-2009. In doing so, the APK wants to prevent the agreement from being rejected by Parliament due to the relaxation of advertising bans.
The agreement is currently being applied provisionally (see
). The Federal Council will terminate it on November 30, 2008 if it decides against a revision of the RTVA. The APK would like any adjustment to the advertising bans to be presented at the same time as the renegotiated agreement in order to preserve the Councils' room for maneuver.
Nevertheless, the Commission has approved the CHF 16.5 million commitment credit for financing provisional participation in the media agreement for the years 2007-2009. In doing so, the APK wants to prevent the agreement from being rejected by Parliament due to the relaxation of advertising bans.
The agreement is currently being applied provisionally (see
). The Federal Council will terminate it on November 30, 2008 if it decides against a revision of the RTVA. The APK would like any adjustment to the advertising bans to be presented at the same time as the renegotiated agreement in order to preserve the Councils' room for maneuver.
