People can vote on new media fee
The Radio and Television Act (RTVG) is being put to a public vote. The Swiss Trade Association has collected over 100,000 signatures opposing the revision and submitted them to the Federal Chancellery on Monday.
He opposes the idea that all companies should pay radio and television fees in future. According to the amendment to the law passed by parliament in the last fall session, the fee is payable from an annual turnover of CHF 500,000 - regardless of whether the company actually has a receiver. Trade association director Hans-Ulrich Bigler spoke of a "compulsory levy" when the signatures were submitted. Today, a company only pays if it actually uses radio or television. The economy would be burdened with an additional 200 million francs.
Households would also have to pay a reception fee in future, even if they do not own a device. In reality, this is a tax that citizens should be able to vote on, said Bigler. If the law comes into force, it will no longer be possible to watch and listen in the dark. In addition, companies would also bear the costs. According to the Federal Council, the Billag fees could therefore be reduced from the current CHF 462. Bigler does not believe in this: in view of the cost development at SRG, he does not consider Billag fees of CHF 1,000 to be out of the question.
The background to the system change is the fact that radio and TV broadcasts can now also be listened to and watched on computers, tablets or smartphones. The amendment to the law also provides for private radio and television stations to receive more money from the licence fee pot in future. An association Stopbillag.ch is also collecting signatures against the RTVA revision. Two popular initiatives, for which signatures are currently being collected, want to abolish reception fees altogether. The referendum on the RTVG revision may take place on June 14. (SDA)
On the subject: RTVG referendum: industry divided (11.01.2015)
