"Anzeiger Region Bern" can continue for the time being
The publisher Scribentes Media has found a solution for its «Anzeiger Region Bern.» Over the next few months, it will be published exclusively online, and the print version is set to be relaunched in the spring, the publisher announced on Tuesday.
In recent weeks, intensive work has been carried out to find a solution for the "Anzeiger Region Bern", the publisher wrote in a press release. "The many positive responses from the city and region of Bern have encouraged us to take an important step," Managing Director Christoph Ramseier told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Tuesday.
The "Anzeiger Region Bern" is going into a kind of "hibernation" for the next few months. This means that it will be reduced to an online-only version. According to Ramseier, the idea is for one person to manage this online version together with freelancers.
Foundation or association
At the same time, according to Ramseier, intensive work is being done in the background to restart the print version in spring 2025. Until now, the "Anzeiger" has been supported by three pillars: income from advertisements, subscriptions and patron contributions. Now another pillar is to be added, as this is the only way the "Anzeiger" can survive.
The aim is to set up a non-profit association or foundation that will then act as the publisher of the Anzeiger Region Bern. This publisher is intended to generate the additional funds that can no longer be raised on the market.
Ramseier emphasized that a clear financial plan should be in place in the spring so that the "Anzeiger" is equipped for the coming years.
Number of departures still unclear
If all this is successful, the publisher would like to continue publishing the Anzeiger in print twice a month, with the exception of January, July and December, when one publication is planned, as the press release goes on to say. At the same time, the editorial team is to be strengthened.
According to Ramseier, six employees currently share around 240 full-time equivalents. There are also several freelancers.
The plan is for one person to manage the online version with freelancers until spring. According to Scribentes, the editorial team will then be expanded for the relaunch.
Ramseier emphasized that some employees had already indicated that they would like to be back in the spring when the company restarts. They are now looking for an interim solution. However, it remains to be seen who will actually come back on board.
Appeal for donations in September
Last December, the "Anzeiger Region Bern" ventured a new start. It wanted to use the fact that it was no longer the official publication for most municipalities in the region as an opportunity to establish the newspaper as an information medium for the region. A six-person editorial team with 300 full-time equivalents was to ensure this. To this end, the Anzeiger also launched a new online presence on which editorial articles are published.
In September, it was finally announced that the Anzeiger was running out of money. It had not been possible to find enough advertisers. "He wanted to raise 150,000 francs for transitional financing until a funding foundation was able to act". To this end, he called for donations on his website. By Tuesday afternoon, 46,800 francs had been received, according to the website.
Another Scribentes product, the "Berner Landbote", is also financially in tight pants. It covers the area from Belp to Spiez and Riggisberg to Zäziwil.
According to Ramseier, the "Berner Landbote" will continue as before, but here too the aim is to establish an association or foundation as publisher.
