UBI approves complaints: Television reported inaccurately on survey results
Swiss television has not always reported poll results with sufficient accuracy ahead of federal elections. On Friday, the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (UBI) upheld three complaints on this matter.
Television did not differentiate enough between those who clearly voted yes and those who tended to vote yes or those who clearly voted no and those who tended to vote no. This gave the impression that the proportion of clear yes and no votes was higher than it was according to the survey. This was announced by the UBI after its deliberations. This made it impossible for the public to form their own opinion.
The three approved cases involved contributions from Swiss television news broadcasts prior to the federal vote on June 1, 2008, in which the population had to decide on the naturalization initiative and the health article, among other things.
The UBI rejected a further five complaints in connection with surveys. These did not relate to specific broadcasts, but primarily to the demoscopic method and the results of the surveys. However, in accordance with its legal mandate, the UBI does not decide on these matters, the UBI statement continues. It did not respond to a further appeal. The UBI's decisions can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
