Commission recommends more targeted media funding

This is to accompany the structural change. The media are of outstanding importance for democracy, said Otfried Jarren, President of the Federal Media Commission (Emek), at a media conference in Bern on Friday. He said that conditions must be created so that the media can continue to provide a broad and diverse range of information for all linguistic and cultural areas of Switzerland. Regional and national newspapers in particular are suffering badly from the funding crisis. They are under pressure in several ways. Advertising is migrating to the Internet. And large IT groups such as Google are increasingly becoming competitors. But there is still no viable business model for online offerings either. The lack of funds is leading to a decline in the quality of independent and politically relevant reporting. The diversity of journalistic opinion is also suffering. Hans-Peter Rohner, EMEK member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the advertising marketer Publigroupe, said that the industry and politicians must take action.

Short- and long-term measures

Emek is in favor of short- and long-term measures for media promotion. In the short term, the news agency SDA should receive funding. The SDA contributes to language understanding. The French- and Italian-language services, however, are in deficit. In addition, Emek advocates promoting journalistic education and training. "Editors today are being asked to work harder, deliver their articles faster and have fewer resources at their disposal," Rohner said. He added that it is also important to support innovations in the media sector.
In the long term, Emek aims to promote journalistic startups. Outstanding editorial or journalistic achievements are also to be supported, for example through trend scouting and the establishment of a research fund. Finally, the commission also wants to promote applied media research.

Establishment of a foundation

In order to achieve its goals, Emek proposes the establishment of a foundation. The core task of such a foundation would be to create the conditions for quality media and journalism as a whole to develop further. Projects of all media genres could be supported in this way. It is important to the Media Commission that the independence of the media is preserved and that the support measures are implemented as far as possible without the influence of the state. The Emek takes as its model the support provided by Pro Helvetia (culture) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (research), both of which are funded by a foundation. The financing of the foundation is still completely open. The Emek did not give any figures on Friday. It merely pointed out that the state currently supports radio and television, education and film with substantial funds.

The commission agrees that indirect support for newspapers via reduced postage rates to the tune of 50 million Swiss francs is no longer appropriate. These funds should be successively used for other purposes. Furthermore, the value-added tax for print and online products should be standardized at a reduced rate.

Violent reactions

The Swiss Media Association (VSM) sees things diametrically differently. Indirect press subsidies are not a discontinued model. On the contrary, if the distribution of press titles becomes even more expensive, the existence of individual newspaper publishers is threatened. The VSM, on the other hand, welcomes the model of media promotion independent of the state.

The Syndicom trade union, the SP Switzerland and Arbus, an association of critical media users, have voiced similar sentiments. The proposals for indirect press subsidies are devastating for the members' press, which contributes significantly to the democratic formation of opinion.
 
The Swiss Syndicate of Media Professionals (SSM) welcomes the Emek proposals. In particular, it supports the establishment of a foundation for media promotion that is independent of the state. (SDA)

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