National Council Commission insists on rules for SRG cooperations
The SRG should only be allowed to enter into partnerships with other media outlets if such partnerships increase the diversity of opinions and programming. A motion from the Council of States containing this demand has also been approved by the National Council committee.
This recognizes the difficult situation in which a number of regional media currently find themselves, according to a press release issued by the parliamentary services on Tuesday. There is a need for legislative action to ensure freedom from discrimination and to strengthen the diversity of opinions and offerings. The decision was made in the committee by 16 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions.
The background to the initiative is the founding of Admeira, the advertising alliance between SRG, Swisscom and Ringier. SRG is criticized for only working with a selected media company as a fee-financed company.
The Federal Council has spoken out against the motion of the Council of States committee. SRG has been working together with other media for years, for example in the acquisition of rights, production or technology. Such activities are not covered by the license.
In its statement, the Federal Council also referred to the new Media Act, which is currently being drafted. It does not intend to issue any new rules for unlicensed SRG activities before then. The Council of States committee did not request this with its motion.
The National Council Committee, on the other hand, does not want to wait that long. It has amended the motion in order to push through a swift amendment to the law. It also reaffirmed its support for a parliamentary initiative by Geneva FDP National Councillor Hugues Hiltpold, who wants to implement the issue without the Federal Council. (SDA)
