SWM: Former radio director Blum on media power and state support
The Truth in the Media Foundation SWM held a symposium in Lucerne on Sunday. Former DRS radio director Andreas Blum concluded at the symposium that the potential threat to democracy posed by media developments is far greater than the fascinating innovations of digitization.
Blum sees a shift in power from institutional politics to the media and is calling for state support for newspapers at the expense of the SRG. In Blum's view, the shared responsibility of the media and democracy is seriously at risk. Today, the media dictate the political agenda. The inflation of information and usage options has replaced social discourse.
The fetish of the ability to achieve a majority under the dictates of advertising has leveled the offer, said the former radio director and former SP National Councillor. In addition, the economic concentration process was endangering media diversity and freedom of opinion. Political decisions had become for sale and television was a bazaar: "Democracy on a case-by-case basis, democratization instead of democracy", Blum explained. The balance of power and responsibility has been seriously disturbed.
According to Blum, the problem has been exacerbated by the systematic reduction of journalistic resources. There has been a twofold shift in power from politics to the media and from critical journalism to commercial PR. Ethically responsible journalism has become a "de-luxe product" for economically good times.
At the symposium, Andreas Blum therefore called for a new media regulation that includes the Internet. The aim is to examine what can be regulated within the national framework. For example, the SRG's position of power should be limited. Although it should continue to ensure the universal service in all language regions, it should only be one partner alongside others in order to enable journalistic competition.
Blum also wants to extend the circle of fee recipients to include high-quality daily newspapers. Despite brash denials from publishers, the crisis in daily newspapers is a fact. Without state support, they would have no future in the medium term. A redistribution of fee income is therefore needed. Independent media are indispensable for the democratic infrastructure. The key for the distribution of fees must be redefined. The inclusion of daily newspapers at the expense of the SRG is unavoidable.
The fetish of the ability to achieve a majority under the dictates of advertising has leveled the offer, said the former radio director and former SP National Councillor. In addition, the economic concentration process was endangering media diversity and freedom of opinion. Political decisions had become for sale and television was a bazaar: "Democracy on a case-by-case basis, democratization instead of democracy", Blum explained. The balance of power and responsibility has been seriously disturbed.
According to Blum, the problem has been exacerbated by the systematic reduction of journalistic resources. There has been a twofold shift in power from politics to the media and from critical journalism to commercial PR. Ethically responsible journalism has become a "de-luxe product" for economically good times.
At the symposium, Andreas Blum therefore called for a new media regulation that includes the Internet. The aim is to examine what can be regulated within the national framework. For example, the SRG's position of power should be limited. Although it should continue to ensure the universal service in all language regions, it should only be one partner alongside others in order to enable journalistic competition.
Blum also wants to extend the circle of fee recipients to include high-quality daily newspapers. Despite brash denials from publishers, the crisis in daily newspapers is a fact. Without state support, they would have no future in the medium term. A redistribution of fee income is therefore needed. Independent media are indispensable for the democratic infrastructure. The key for the distribution of fees must be redefined. The inclusion of daily newspapers at the expense of the SRG is unavoidable.
