"Harmful to the economy": KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz rejects No Billag initiative
The umbrella organization for commercial communication, KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz, opposes the popular initiative «Yes to the Abolition of Radio and Television Licenses («No-Billag Initiative»).» However, it welcomes a discussion about the limits of the SRG.
The decision was made "in the interests of the communications industry and many sectors of the economy that depend on advertising for their market success", KS/CS said in a press release on Tuesday. A diverse and vibrant media landscape is seen as a key prerequisite for a prosperous communications and economy in Switzerland, it added. Against this backdrop, the umbrella organization for commercial communication attaches vital importance not only to private providers but also to the public service.
At the same time, "a fundamental discussion about the future possibilities and limits of the public service in the media world and in particular the SRG" is welcomed.
In the view of KS/CS, the "No Billag Initiative" is a "clear-cutting measure that affects far more than just the SRG". The employees of 21 private local radio stations (commercial and complementary) and 13 regional television stations with fee shares are also directly affected. "The No Billag initiative prevents a constructive dialog about the public service of the SRG and the licensed private broadcasters in an un-Swiss manner," writes the association.
If the initiative is accepted and the "massive reduction in the supply of advertising space" associated with it - at least in the short term - KS/CS also sees severe disadvantages for advertising clients and agencies. A ten percent reduction alone would destroy around 2,200 jobs in the communications industry and result in tax losses of CHF 15.5 million per year, warns the umbrella organization. Such a decline would also have a disproportionate impact on many other sectors of the economy that rely on advertising for their growth. (hae/pd)
