Comedia against publishing house merger
The media union Comedia opposes the merger between Bern-based Espace Media Group and Tamedia. The union warns of layoffs, a reduction in media diversity, the closure of some printing facilities, and a loss of independence.
The media union Comedia is against the merger of the Bern-based Espace Media Group and Tamedia. The union warns of redundancies, a reduction in media diversity, the closure of some printing sites and a loss of independence.The media union's reaction was not long in coming on Thursday after Tamedia's merger announcement. For Comedia, what the Zurich publishing house is presenting as a merger is a takeover with serious consequences for the Swiss media landscape.
In its statement, the media union fears that profit considerations will take precedence over the preservation of a vibrant media landscape. Every takeover of media and printing companies by Tamedia in recent years has always led to massive job losses.
Comedia also warns against a merger of the Bund and Berner Zeitung newspapers. The union also believes that the traditional Bernese printing company Benteli Halwag should be closed or sold.
Comedia is thus opposing the excessive weighting of profit interests, which could lead to a media uniformity. The union also draws attention to the fact that Tamedia can apparently easily raise CHF 200 million for the purchase of the Espace Media Group, while increasing the salaries of its employees by an average of only CHF 20 last year.
In its statement, the media union fears that profit considerations will take precedence over the preservation of a vibrant media landscape. Every takeover of media and printing companies by Tamedia in recent years has always led to massive job losses.
Comedia also warns against a merger of the Bund and Berner Zeitung newspapers. The union also believes that the traditional Bernese printing company Benteli Halwag should be closed or sold.
Comedia is thus opposing the excessive weighting of profit interests, which could lead to a media uniformity. The union also draws attention to the fact that Tamedia can apparently easily raise CHF 200 million for the purchase of the Espace Media Group, while increasing the salaries of its employees by an average of only CHF 20 last year.
