Swiss Press Council reprimands Simmental Zeitung - No hearing despite serious allegations
The Simmental-Thun-Saanenland Hospital Group (Spital STS) has filed a complaint with the Press Council regarding the Simmental Zeitung’s reporting. On June 25, 2009, the publisher published serious allegations against Spital STS and its board members, who were named in the article, without giving the other side an opportunity to respond.
In the case of serious allegations, the opposing side must be heard, the Press Council has now ruled, thus proving Spital STS AG right. Even if the opposing side also has its say in a further period of time, it cannot be expected that the readership will always be aware of the entire topic, writes the Press Council.
Spital STS AG accused the Simmental Zeitung of conducting "a campaign against them in the context of the hospital dispute that has divided the region for some time". The newspaper's articles about the controversial new hospital location were "biased and violated the rules of journalistic fairness".
Spital STS AG accused the Simmental Zeitung of conducting "a campaign against them in the context of the hospital dispute that has divided the region for some time". The newspaper's articles about the controversial new hospital location were "biased and violated the rules of journalistic fairness".
