Bernese government invites Tamedia to a debate
In connection with the planned merger of Tamedia’s editorial departments, the Bern cantonal government has invited the board of directors of the Zurich-based media company to a discussion on media diversity. The canton of Bern intends to at least consider indirect media funding.
It shares the concern that Tamedia's latest decisions could have a negative impact on media diversity in Bern, writes the Bernese government in its answers to several motions in the cantonal parliament published on Monday.
The SP and Green motionaries are calling for an intervention with the aim of "demanding several independent daily newspapers in the canton of Berne". It is not yet clear when the debate will take place. The government sent the invitation letter on October 25.
However, the government council rejects direct media funding. A free press with strong media houses does not need subsidies, but rather good framework conditions. However, the federal government's efforts to expand indirect media funding - for example for online media - are to be welcomed.
"Careful analysis" required
However, the Bernese government is prepared to at least examine indirect support for the media and to accept this demand in the weakened form of the postulate. There were already plans for cantonal media funding 20 years ago.
In 1997, the then government presented a draft law to this effect. At that time, however, the Grand Council did not want to know anything about such an instrument. Article 46 of the Bernese cantonal constitution states that the canton of Bern supports the independence and diversity of information.
However, the government writes that the media landscape in Switzerland has changed fundamentally since this standard came into force. The possibility of indirectly promoting newer forms of media through the canton must therefore be "carefully analyzed". (SDA)
