Council of States wants mandatory radio and TV levy

The National Council would like to enable a temporary opt-out: Households that do not have radio and television reception should be exempt from the fee for five years after the introduction of the new fee system. This is out of the question for the Council of States. Without opposition, it followed its preliminary committee, which had clearly spoken out against an exemption. In the opinion of the Council of States, the disadvantages of the current system would remain in place with a fee obligation with exemptions, while the administrative and control costs would even increase.

Adapting the law to the spirit of the times

With the new fee system, the Federal Council wants to take account of the fact that radio and TV broadcasts can now be consumed via the Internet on computers, tablets or smartphones. A new fee system is necessary, said Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard. She criticized the excitement of some politicians in the Council who were outraged by the fees: "You all have a laptop financed by the federal government, you all have a smartphone, i.e. a reception device." An exemption from the obligation to pay fees could therefore no longer be justified.

After the National Council, the Council of States has now also followed this principle. In the overall vote, a corresponding amendment to the Radio and Television Act (RTVA) was approved by 25 votes to 11 with 5 abstentions. Hans Altherr's (FDP/AR) motion to refer the matter back, which was tabled at the beginning of the debate, was unsuccessful.

Lower Billag fees possible

In future, it will no longer be possible to watch television on the black market and checks by the Billag control authority will no longer be necessary. As the number of fee payers would be spread across more households and companies, the reception fee could be reduced from the current CHF 462 per household and year to around CHF 400, the Federal Council had calculated.

In terms of the individual provisions, the small chamber followed the majority of the first chamber's draft. In the course of the four-hour debate, however, the Council of States made a number of amendments, which is why the matter was returned to the National Council for a vote on the differences.

More money for regional programs

For example, the small chamber removed the fixed distribution of fee shares (36% radio and 64% television) introduced by the National Council from the law. It is of the opinion that a fixed allocation at legislative level would prove to be a hindrance in the dynamic media landscape.

In addition, the Council of States is demanding a wider range for the share of the levy for private broadcasters. By 28 votes to 14, it agreed with a minority of the Committee and set the proportion at 4 to 6% of the total revenue from the radio and television fee. The National Council had set the levy range at 4 to 5 percent.

"This is a small step towards promoting private offerings in the public service sector," said Filippo Lombardi (CVP/TI), member of the Council of States, who himself presides over a private radio station and a private television station in Ticino. According to Federal Councillor Leuthard, regional broadcasters would receive up to CHF 81 million per year with this solution. The current maximum is CHF 54 million.

Companies must also pay

The fee levy for companies was also a topic of discussion. Like the National Council, the Council of States ultimately clearly rejected exempting companies from the obligation to pay fees in future. This means that companies with an annual turnover of CHF 500,000 or more will have to pay a fee regardless of the device.

Around 70 percent of companies would thus be exempt from the levy. Today, companies that have a receiver pay. Pro-business members of the Council of States such as Hans Hess (FDP/OW) and Peter Föhn (SVP/SZ) tried in vain to remove what they saw as "illogical and unfair double taxation" from the law.

"We tradespeople have a problem with the plethora of additional charges and requirements," said Föhn. The Swiss Trade Association (sgv) is already considering a referendum against the mandatory fees for companies. However, the majority in the Council took the view that companies also benefit from the public service and that it is therefore justified for them to contribute to the costs.

Report on the public service

The Council of States has also spoken out in favor of an additional provision that would allow concessions to be extended without a public tender. This would take into account the previous fulfillment of the performance mandate. The surpluses from fee splitting should also be used for the training and further education of employees and to promote new broadcasting technologies and digital television production processes.

In connection with the law, the Council of States has also referred a postulate to the Federal Council. The latter must review the SRG's public service performance and present it in a report. In doing so, it should take into account the position and function of private broadcasters. (SDA)