SSM on the change of ownership of Radio 24 and Capital FM
The Swiss Media Professionals Union (SSM) welcomes the fact that, after a prolonged period of uncertainty, a decision has now been made regarding the new owners of Radio 24 and Capital FM, and that Tamedia has sold the two radio stations to companies with a journalistic focus rather than to political circles.
The union wrote this in a communiqué on Monday. With Radio 24, BT Holding and the AZ Medien Group now have a significant stake in three radio stations and three television stations, making them the largest media company in the private electronic media sector. The SSM will keep a critical eye on how AZ Medien behaves, it added. It is hoped that the journalistic diversity of these radio and television stations will be maintained and that AZ Medien will act as a role model for private radio and television stations in terms of working conditions and contractual relationships. The SSM also expects Zürichsee Medien to maintain the journalistic independence of Capital FM in Bern.
No staff reductions
The SSM is also demanding that the two media companies AZ Medien and Zürichsee Medien do not use the acquisitions to cut staff. The synergies made possible by the acquisitions should be used to improve the quality of the programs, training and further education as well as working conditions.
