The Federal Council thus responded to parliamentary demands. According to the proposal, family businesses and small companies with an annual turnover of less than CHF 500,000 should be exempt from the radio and television fee. This is the case for around 70 percent of all businesses, according to the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). As before, people who receive state supplementary benefits should not pay any fees. People in need of care in residential homes would also be exempt from the fee.
No "unpleasant controls"
The reason for the system change is that many new devices - such as smartphones, computers and tablets - can receive radio and television stations. The Federal Council assumes that such devices are used in practically all Swiss households. In its view, a general levy would reduce the administrative burden. The Federal Council argues that the "unpleasant checks" to determine the obligation to pay the fee would no longer be necessary; those who are not listening or watching would be registered. Households and businesses would no longer have to register and deregister with the Billag collection agency. Additional fees - for example for weekly stays and vacation homes - would also be eliminated.
Smaller fees
The bottom line is that individuals would have to pay less with the new regulation. Today, the reception fee for households is around CHF 462 per year. As total revenue is not expected to increase with the new system, the annual amount would be reduced to around CHF 400, according to Bakom. Nevertheless, Billag invoices are likely to continue to arrive in letterboxes even after a system change. The Federal Council recommends that an independent company continues to collect the fees. As an alternative, the Federal Council can also imagine the Federal Tax Administration collecting the fees.
Regional stations on the Internet
The proposed legislation also provides for changes to the licensing of private radio and television stations. If a regional broadcaster benefits from federal contributions, it may still broadcast beyond its regional borders. In concrete terms, this means Regional broadcasters will also be allowed to offer their programs on the Internet in future. Previously, only radio and TV stations that did not receive contributions from the licence fee pot were allowed to do so. The Federal Council wants to eliminate this competitive disadvantage with the new regulation. Licensed broadcasters will also be obliged to subtitle their main information broadcasts. The costs for the companies are to be financed by the reception fees.
New technologies supported
In order to guarantee media diversity, media companies may continue to own a maximum of two radio and TV stations. However, additional licenses are to be granted to those who broadcast their programmes via new channels, such as DAB+ digital radio. To date, not all of the reception fees reserved for private broadcasters have been distributed to them. This amounts to around CHF 69 million. As soon as the revised RTVA comes into force, part of the fees on the first bill will be waived in order to reduce this amount.
The new RTVA is subject to consultation until the end of August. Until then, parties and associations can present their position on the Federal Council's proposal.
Trade association: "Blatant discrimination against the SME economy"
The Swiss Trade Association (SGV) strongly rejects the Federal Council's draft law on radio and TV fees that are independent of the receiver, according to the association's director Hans-Ulrich Bigler. The proposal "blatantly discriminates" against SMEs. With the decision to exempt companies with an annual turnover of up to CHF 500,000 from the obligation to pay fees, the Federal Council is disregarding the will of Parliament, Bigler told the SDA news agency on Wednesday. This chosen limit was arbitrary.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, "small business" means "up to 50 employees", Bigler continued. Parliament had wanted to exclude such small businesses when referring the motion. "There is no room for interpretation." An annual turnover of up to CHF 500,000 would correspond to a two- to three-person business. The Federal Department of the Environment, Energy, Transport and Communications (Uvek) is, in Bigler's words, "capering" to "introduce new taxes". The Swiss Trade Association "strongly rejects" the proposal submitted for consultation. (SDA)
(Image: Keystone)