Federal Council does not want to define "public service" more precisely

Filippo Leutenegger, a member of the Zurich FDP National Council, would like the motion to instruct the Federal Council to define the public services of the SRG financed by fees, taking into account the function of private providers. In connection with the planned introduction of device-independent radio and TV fees, it must be clear to fee payers which services are financed with fee money and which are not, Leutenegger justifies the motion.

The Federal Council is asking parliament to reject the motion. The services of the SRG are described in the Federal Law on Radio and Television, it states in its response published on Thursday. The performance mandate is specified in the concession. There, the number and type of radio and television programs as well as the scope of the other services are defined, which also includes the SRG's online presence. Qualitative requirements are also specified. The Federal Council writes that this sufficiently defines the public service and distinguishes it from commercial offerings. During the last revision of the law, the parliament intensively discussed the level of detail and came to the conclusion that a regulation down to the last detail would not be appropriate. The Federal Council states that the media can only fulfill their social and political function if they have sufficient freedom. The change in the system of compulsory fees does not change this.

The Federal Council justifies the future payment of radio and TV fees by those who do not own a receiver by stating that the programs can be consumed via computer. It also states that the services provided by the media system for the democratic formation of opinion are in everyone's interest - regardless of whether they consume programs. Moreover, the changeover to a device-independent levy is not aimed at increasing revenues. (SDA)