Basler Zeitung reacts with concerned criticism

The Basler Zeitung (BaZ) is disappointed by the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung's decision to cooperate with the Mittelland Zeitung (MZ). "The move by the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung to disregard local and regional interests must also be disconcerting for the public in the Basel region," reads the communiqué signed by BaZ publisher Matthias Hagemann. The Basler Zeitung believes that independent reporting is "highly endangered". Publisher Hagemann even spoke to the SDa of a "press war". The Basellandschaftliche Zeitung is allowing itself to be used by the MZ against the BaZ. The "momentous change in the media landscape in north-western Switzerland" hits the Basler Zeitung at a sore point. The Basler Zeitung will become the only independent daily newspaper in the region and will feel the effects of the "new competitive situation determined by the greater Zurich area" more keenly. It is obvious that the Basler Zeitung would have preferred to expand its regional cooperation. In recent years, it has repeatedly communicated its willingness to enter into partnerships while maintaining the greatest possible independence. Smaller collaborations have been realized, such as the joint job supplement "stellefant" or the early delivery of the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung by the BaZ distribution company. The offer of a more comprehensive regional cooperation does not seem to have met with mutual interest at the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung. The Basellandschaftliche Zeitung had rejected a purely regional cooperation for fear of marginalization. It also fears that a cooperation with the BaZ would result in losses in terms of dual subscribers, according to an SDA press release. The solution with the Mittelland Zeitung is also interpreted as a "clear commitment to Northwestern Switzerland", as the clear journalistic demarcation remains in place.
Basler Zeitung, on the other hand, is convinced that it is only possible to secure long-term journalistic and commercial independence with a regionally inspired cooperation model. As an example of such a model, it cites its involvement with the Neue Fricktaler Zeitung, which has thus secured an "independent journalistic voice" in the long term. The BaZ will publish reports, reactions, comments and a statement by publisher Matthias Hagemann in its Thursday edition. Discussions can currently be held online at baz.ch in the online forum.