No favorable postal rates for three religious weekly magazines
The three weekly magazines *Sonntag*, *Leben*, and *Glauben*, as well as *Echo* magazine, will no longer be able to benefit from reduced postal rates—at least for the time being. The Federal Administrative Court has dismissed the publishers’ appeals.
A year ago, Swiss Post decreed that the three titles would no longer be granted reduced transport rates from June 2011. The reason given was that the three weekly magazines were religious in nature and therefore excluded from the discount as a specialty press. In addition, the further requirement of regional or local orientation was not met. The Federal Administrative Court has now dismissed the publishers' appeals. The rulings can still be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. According to the court, Swiss Post wrongly classified the three publications as specialty press. In fact, despite their religious orientation, the magazines cover a wide range of topics and contribute to the formation of political opinion and the preservation of a diverse press landscape as defined by the legislator.
However, the judges in Bern confirmed Swiss Post's assessment that the three titles cannot be classified as regional or local press and are therefore excluded from press subsidies. However, this criterion could soon change.
New postal ordinance under consultation
The consultation procedure on the new postal ordinance is currently underway. According to the court, this no longer attaches any independent significance to the "regional and local press" element. The planned amendment cannot yet be taken into account in the current cases, as this would be tantamount to an impermissible prior effect.
Regional and local newspapers as well as publications from non-profit organizations benefit from indirect federal press subsidies in the form of reduced postal rates. Around CHF 30 million is currently available for this purpose. (SDA)
(Image: Keystone)
