Alcohol advertising on TV: Council of States defers to the National Council
Television advertising for wine and beer is being liberalized. On Thursday, the Council of States yielded to the National Council and adopted the proposal from the Conciliation Conference.
Advertising for wine and beer on television will be liberalized. The Swiss parliament revised the Radio and Television Act (RTVA) on Thursday, as reported by SDA. The Council of States, which was in favor of an advertising ban, accepted the decision of the conciliation conference without discussion. In the National Council, Ruedi Aeschbacher (EVP/ZH) campaigned in vain for a No. The entire addiction prevention scene was against liberalization and the EU would also impose an advertising ban sooner or later. The motion to reject was rejected by 103 votes to 69.
Advertising for light alcoholic beverages is currently prohibited in Switzerland on all SRG channels and in the Swiss advertising windows of foreign television providers, which is contrary to the EU "Television without Frontiers" Directive. According to this directive, advertising windows broadcast abroad are subject to the laws of the broadcaster's country. As advertising for beer and wine is permitted in Germany, this must also apply to German private broadcasters operating Swiss advertising windows. Switzerland must do this all the more because both councils have already decided to participate in the EU's Media film promotion program. This requires Switzerland to respect the EU Television Directive. The Federal Council therefore proposed relaxing the advertising ban - also for SRG broadcasters.
The media agreement and Switzerland's contribution of CHF 41 million with annual tranches of around CHF 10 million until 2013 have been approved by both councils. The ban on religious and political advertising as well as advertising for spirits and mixed drinks can be maintained.
(Image: Keystone)
Advertising for light alcoholic beverages is currently prohibited in Switzerland on all SRG channels and in the Swiss advertising windows of foreign television providers, which is contrary to the EU "Television without Frontiers" Directive. According to this directive, advertising windows broadcast abroad are subject to the laws of the broadcaster's country. As advertising for beer and wine is permitted in Germany, this must also apply to German private broadcasters operating Swiss advertising windows. Switzerland must do this all the more because both councils have already decided to participate in the EU's Media film promotion program. This requires Switzerland to respect the EU Television Directive. The Federal Council therefore proposed relaxing the advertising ban - also for SRG broadcasters.
The media agreement and Switzerland's contribution of CHF 41 million with annual tranches of around CHF 10 million until 2013 have been approved by both councils. The ban on religious and political advertising as well as advertising for spirits and mixed drinks can be maintained.
(Image: Keystone)
