Unpublished online comments increase the number of complaints
A new avenue for filing complaints is creating more work for the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (UBI). The fact that complaints can now also be filed regarding the failure to publish comments on SRG online forums is causing the number of cases to rise.
In 2023, the UBI opened 38 new complaints procedures, seven more than in 2022, as it announced on Thursday. Twelve of these proceedings each concerned TV broadcasts and the online sector, the remaining radio broadcasts and several media. 31 proceedings were settled and violations of the law were established in three of them.
In the online area, it was about editorial matters or the handling of online comments - according to the Federal Supreme Court, the UBI is responsible for this. In two proceedings, the UBI upheld seven complaints from a user of SRF commentary columns. The non-publication of the comments violated the freedom of expression.
The formal hurdle for such comment complaints is very low because they are individual complaints that do not have to be signed by several people, according to the UBI's annual report. The majority of complaints have been approved so far. The number of cases received increased noticeably in 2023.
The subject of the new complaints were almost exclusively publications in SRG programs. In one case, a regional private radio station was affected. Most of the complaints concerned news and information broadcasts, including on the national elections in fall 2023 and on votes, for example on the Climate Protection Act.
However, domestic political topics such as organ donation and conflicts abroad as well as transport, climate, energy and health issues were also at the heart of the publications in question. The UBI's decisions can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. (SDA)
