Basler Zeitung has new owners
Rolf Bollmann, Markus Somm, and Christoph Blocher are each acquiring one-third of the Basler Zeitung from Medienvielfalt Holding.
According to the statement, the aim is to guarantee a daily newspaper for the Basel region and the whole of Switzerland in the long term, which offers journalism of a high standard, independent of the major Zurich publishers and independent of state subsidies. In this way, BaZ intends to "deepen its leading and opinion-forming role in northwestern Switzerland". The three new owners will take seats on the board of directors. Rolf Bollmann takes over the chairmanship and will act as delegate of the board of directors, Markus Somm remains editor-in-chief and publisher, Christoph Blocher acts as member of the board of directors. Each shareholder will take over 33 percent, with Christoph Blocher increasing his 20 percent share, which he already owns, to 33 percent. Medienvielfalt will continue to be linked to BaZ with a loan, which will be repaid as soon as the financial consolidation of the company is achieved.
"We are convinced," says Rolf Bollmann, "that we can produce an outstanding daily newspaper that is profitable and uses its economic independence to publish reliable research, captivating texts and high-profile commentary." The seller and buyer have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
Image: Keystone
