State-financed platform as a rescue scenario for the media

Otfried Jarren, President of the Federal Media Commission (FMEC) appointed by the Federal Council, considers this scenario to be promising, as expressed in an interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung on Saturday. Journalism is expensive, but there is no price-performance ratio for it in society, said Jarren. Until now, journalistic services have not been paid for directly, but indirectly via advertisements. However, this business model has been in free fall since the advent of the internet and social media. A state-sponsored service platform for journalistic content could provide a remedy here.

"A platform like "Media Switzerland" would increase the visibility of providers, the findability of products and the reach for everyone," Jarren told the NZZ. Readers could subscribe to and use individual offers as a complete package as usual. But they could also selectively obtain offers from other providers.

Bloggers could also join the platform. It would take on the role of a "neutral service provider" in the form of a cooperative or foundation.

Public funds

On the one hand, providers and users would have to contribute to the financing. The platform could also be financed by public funds from the budget levy. "The allocation of funds must be linked to a performance mandate," states the President of the FMEC. Those providers that provide content relevant to democracy and society should be able to receive funds from the budget levy. Jarren can also imagine that households themselves could dispose of part of the household fee that they have to pay: By means of a voucher, they could pay to their preferred providers. In this way, readers could reward special services and stimulate providers. "That would be worth a try."

Hansi Voigt, co-founder and former editor-in-chief of the news portal Watson, had also previously spoken out in favor of the idea of such a platform. (SDA)