UBI: Proper presentation of conspiracy theories

According to the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television, neither the knowledge magazine "Einstein" with an edition on conspiracy theories nor the talk show "Schawinski" with National Councillor Andreas Glarner as a guest violated programming regulations.

The emergence and functioning of conspiracy theories were the focus of the SRF knowledge magazine "Einstein" on 26 January 2017. Four interrelated reports dealt with aspects of this socially and politically topical phenomenon. In the popular complaint lodged against it, the main objection was that Daniele Ganser, a recognized historian and researcher, was described as a conspiracy theorist and also linked to Nazi crimes. The UBI considered these complaints to be unfounded. The information required for a free formation of opinion on Daniele Ganser's research work and in particular on his criticism of the official version of the 9/11 attacks was conveyed to the audience. The audience also learned in a comprehensible way why one of the experts interviewed described Daniele Ganser as a conspiracy theorist and what Ganser's views are on the subject. The various aspects of conspiracy theories discussed were presented correctly and separated from each other in a transparent manner. Daniele Ganser was not associated in any way with Nazi crimes and in particular with the persecution of the Jews. The requirement of objectivity was therefore not violated.

The guest of the talk show "Schawinski" on February 27, 2017 was the Aargau National Councillor Andreas Glarner. In the popular complaint lodged against the broadcast, it was claimed that presenter Roger Schawinski had pilloried Andreas Glarner with false statements, a one-sided perspective and insults. The sole aim of the program was to dismantle the guest and expose him. The UBI examined the complaint in particular from the point of view of fairness and the necessary respect for human dignity. In the program, Roger Schawinski and Andreas Glarner engaged in an actual verbal exchange of blows with mutual provocations. The obviously media-savvy politician had ample opportunity to respond to the presenter's accusations and explain his point of view. The UBI also did not consider the presenter's comments on his personal circumstances to be in breach of programming law.

Finally, the UBI dismissed a complaint against an online article by Radio Televisione Svizzera italiana RSI on a violent incident during the Bellinzona carnival and the criminal court ruling issued in the first instance. The main facts were presented correctly. Despite some shortcomings in the article, which concerned secondary points, the requirement of fairness was not violated. As with the other two appeal cases, the UBI unanimously rejected the appeal.

The UBI is an extra-parliamentary federal commission consisting of nine members and chaired by Vincent Augustin, a lawyer from Chur. In response to complaints, it must determine whether radio and television broadcasts by Swiss broadcasters or publications from the SRG's other journalistic offerings have violated provisions on the content of editorial broadcasts or whether there has been an unlawful refusal of access to a program or publication. The decisions of the UBI can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. Ombudsman's offices are located upstream of the UBI and act as mediators.

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