Independent journalists are forming a new association
A group of independent Swiss journalists founded a new association on Monday. Under the name «Verband Medien mit Zukunft,» this group has registered an association that aims to promote independent journalism, according to a press release.
The founding members include Hansi Voigt from Zentral+, former editor-in-chief of the news portal Watson, Urs. P. Gasche, former presenter of Kassensturz and publisher of the Infosperber.ch portal, and Susanne Sugimoto, managing director of the digital magazine Republik.
Journalists from WOZ and Tageswoche as well as Tsüri, the new platform for independent journalism, are also among the co-founders. The president is Simon Jacoby from Tsüri. The association is based in Zurich; its funds consist of membership fees, donations and grants.
The association aims to promote the development of new independent media brands in Switzerland and represent the interests of journalistic organizations, as stated in its statutes. Publishers of existing media can also become members, provided they are committed to the association's objectives.
The association also wants to contribute to the media policy debate as a voice for journalism.
Imprint also on board
The "Association Media with a Future" aims to stimulate discussions about journalistic content and new forms of distribution and marketing. It is committed to the development of an open journalistic infrastructure and pursues the goal of promoting media literacy in Switzerland in general.
If the members are themselves active as journalists, they undertake upon admission to comply with and enforce journalistic standards and generally recognized journalistic principles. This applies in particular to the declarations and guidelines of the Swiss Press Council. Members must pursue independent journalism as their core task.
One of the founding members is the Impressum journalists' association. However, this is subject to ratification by the association's board and delegates, as impressum writes. The association hopes that the newly founded association will provide new impetus for the media landscape. (SDA)
