SRG: Breaking the law with Campell commercials

The spot for a sporting goods store (SportXX) was broadcast in November and December 2013, according to the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) order published on the Internet. The spot featured Annina Campell doing winter sports. The injunction was reported on Monday by news platform Watson. Originally, the Blick had addressed Campell's advertising appearance.

Temporary under contract

Campell appeared as a presenter for various SRF 1 and SRF 2 programs last year, including "SRF bi de Lüt," according to Bakom. The Radio and Television Act (RTVA) prohibits permanent program staff of a broadcaster from appearing in its commercials. According to a statement cited by Bakom, SRG had assumed that Campell's appearance was permissible. In 2013, she had been under contract four times for a limited period of time for three broadcast segments and had been paid with per diems. Her assignment had amounted to a total of around 69 days. But Bakom sees things differently: the term "permanent program employee" is unclear, it said. The decisive factor for the federal office is not the number of assignments, but rather how the audience perceives her. Campell is publicly perceived as an SRF presenter.

Permitted in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino

The spot was also shown on RTS television in French-speaking Switzerland and on RSI television in Italian-speaking Switzerland. Bakom had no objections to these appearances by Campell: Presenters working editorially in broadcasts in one language area are not known across language borders. On the basis of the ruling, Bakom is charging SRG procedural costs of 9870 Swiss francs - this corresponds to the time spent on drafting the ruling, which took 47 hours. The SRG can challenge the order before the Federal Administrative Court. Whether it will do so, it left open on Monday. A decision will be made after the order has been examined, said spokesman Daniel Steiner. (SDA)

Teaser image: SRF (image Annina Campell); Logo SportXX