VSM calls for new funding model for TV and radio
Based on a study, the Swiss Media Association (VSM) is proposing a new funding model for radio and television. The actual use of content by consumers is to be factored into the management of media funding.
The study on "Redesigning the programming mandate of audiovisual media in the digital age" concludes that current media policies for radio and TV are having a negative impact on other forms of media. Increased regulation of publicly financed broadcasters is necessary, it says in a statement on Thursday.
In the study, Peter Hettich (University of St. Gallen) and Mark Schelker (University of Fribourg) propose a new regulation that "ensures an independent evaluation of media content worthy of subsidy and also includes its consumption". Parliament should determine the amount of the total subsidy for media content. The distribution to the media should then be made by politically independent bodies on the basis of services actually provided.
In addition to the definition of quality criteria, measurement of the effective use of the supported content is also required. This should be based on the market share. Thus, quality and effective use should be the deciding factors for fee funding. Existing models for media funding focus exclusively on the production and broadcasting of content, without measuring the actual consumption of this content and its success, the statement continues. (SDA)
