Berner Zeitung with paid editorial coverage
As reported by the NZZ am Sonntag, the Berner Zeitung receives payment from two hospitals and a health insurance company for its coverage of health-related topics.
As reported by the NZZ am Sonntag, the Berner Zeitung is being paid by two hospitals and a health insurance company to report on health issues. Since May 1, the Berner Zeitung has been publishing two pages on the subject of health every second Monday, which are said to be supported by the Inselspital, the health insurance company Visana and the private clinic in Meiringen. This can be read on the website of former Inselpital press spokesman Bernhard Kummer; Kummer is also said to have arranged the deal.
According to statements made by Kummer and the managing director of the Berner Zeitung, Albert P. Stäheli, to the NZZ am Sonntag, the media partnership consists of the three partners placing advertisements and publicity reports and the Berner Zeitung guaranteeing them the appropriate journalistic environment for this. Visana, on the other hand, had clearly stated that as a partner it would also contribute to the costs of the editorial services of the Berner Zeitung.
Stäheli rejects the accusation that this media partnership lacks transparency. Advertisements and public reports are labeled and the independence of the editorial team is clearly regulated by contract. Partners could suggest topics, but the editorial team alone would then decide. However, as Peter Studer, President of the Press Council, told the NZZ am Sonntag, it is a requirement of fairness to disclose the partnership.
According to statements made by Kummer and the managing director of the Berner Zeitung, Albert P. Stäheli, to the NZZ am Sonntag, the media partnership consists of the three partners placing advertisements and publicity reports and the Berner Zeitung guaranteeing them the appropriate journalistic environment for this. Visana, on the other hand, had clearly stated that as a partner it would also contribute to the costs of the editorial services of the Berner Zeitung.
Stäheli rejects the accusation that this media partnership lacks transparency. Advertisements and public reports are labeled and the independence of the editorial team is clearly regulated by contract. Partners could suggest topics, but the editorial team alone would then decide. However, as Peter Studer, President of the Press Council, told the NZZ am Sonntag, it is a requirement of fairness to disclose the partnership.
