Unification of Tamedia daily newspapers: Imprint calls on Weko
The journalists' association Impressum is fighting against the standardization of Tamedia's daily newspapers by appealing to the Swiss Federal Competition Commission (ComCo). The media group is abusing its dominant market position, which has socially damaging effects. Tamedia, on the other hand, waves it off.
With this action, Impressum wants to oppose the merger of Tamedia newspaper editorial offices from January 1, 2018. The twelve paid daily newspapers and their two Sunday newspapers in German-speaking Switzerland and Suisse romande will in future be supplied by one large editorial office per language region (Werbewoche.ch reported).
According to Impressum, the concentration of Tamedia's newspaper editorial offices has resulted in "an unprecedented impoverishment of the diversity of information and opinion in Switzerland". This is particularly important in a direct democracy so that voters can form their opinions from a variety of sources, the association argues. Impressum is bothered by the fact that, for example, in Bern in the future Bernese Newspaper - with the exception of the local news - will be the same as in the Confederation. Similar scenarios are also being considered for Zurich (regional newspapers vs. Tages-Anzeiger) and French-speaking Switzerland (Tribune de Genève vs. 24 Heures).
Impressum accuses Tamedia of abusing a monopoly: Since Tamedia owns both daily newspapers in Berne and has no local competition to fear, it can afford to "dismantle" their editorial offices and produce a large part of the content in Zurich.
The journalists' association is therefore asking the Competition Commission to determine in which regions of Switzerland Tamedia has a dominant market position. Secondly, according to the press release, the ComCo should examine whether Tamedia's behavior has harmful economic or social effects. Thirdly, as a precautionary measure, Tamedia is being asked to suspend the reorganization measures for the time being.
"Weko is being misused for a campaign"
Meanwhile, Tamedia shows little understanding for the journalists' association's latest plans. "With this complaint, Impressum is misusing the Federal Competition Commission for a campaign," says Group spokesperson Christoph Zimmer when asked by Werbewoche. He is convinced that the Cartel Act does not apply to such an internal reorganization. "Furthermore, we neither have a monopoly nor are we dominant in the entire Swiss market, as Impressum claims."
He is convinced that the reorganization with the editorial offices will actually benefit journalism: "Our challenge is rather that consumers' time is being spread across more and more information, social media and advertising platforms. Thanks to closer cooperation between our daily newspapers, we are strengthening independent journalism and can use the technological possibilities for new offerings." (hae)
