The multiple crises of journalism - and the principle of "despite
Drawing on Roger de Weck’s book *The «Despite All That» Principle*, journalists, politicians, and scholars discussed the profound crisis facing journalism—and what it lacks: not just money, but self-confidence.
The initial situation was clearly outlined: Journalism in Switzerland is under pressure - economically, socially and in terms of identity. This was the premise of a panel discussion held as part of the series "In search of the truth - We and journalism" which was moderated by journalist and curator Thomas Gull and was closely based on Roger de Weck's book "Das Prinzip Trotzdem - Warum wir den Journalismus vor den Medien retten müssen". The author himself was part of the panel, which included Nina Graf (Tsüri.ch), Min Li Marti (P.S.) and communication scientist Linards Udris (fög UZH).
The focus was on three questions: What is the cause of the crisis? What does it mean for democracy and society? And what are the ways out?
Everyday crisis as a normal state
Min Li Marti, editor of the social democratic newspaper Weekly newspaper P.S. and National Councillor, spoke of a state of emergency in the media, which is not a new phenomenon for small left-wing publications. The newspaper has always survived on shaky foundations - supported by donations and a small advertising section. It continues to be printed because: The willingness to pay is higher there than online. But even this structure is coming under increasing pressure. The editorial clout is hardly sufficient to continuously accompany important political business at municipal or even federal level.
Marti criticized right-wing circles for deliberately undermining the credibility of the media - and at the same time establishing their own platforms. The aim is to gain control of the discourse and establish their own media system. Journalism often lacks the strength to fight back - also because resources are dwindling.
New paths, old problems
Nina Graf, co-founder of Tsüri.chreported on the daily balancing act between journalistic standards and the struggle for economic survival. Graf sees the crisis not in journalism itself, but in its distribution and financing logic. Her editorial team is close to the community and tries to report at eye level. But the effort is high. Tsüri.ch does a lot of things right - but that is by no means enough to overcome structural challenges on its own.
A democracy without media?
Linards Udris from the fög at the University of Zurich drew attention to systemic dangers: The "attention crisis" among the population is clashing with the economic crisis of the media - a toxic interplay. If editorial teams are thinned out and agency reports slip through the net, there is a risk of a creeping loss of control and public debate. This is particularly problematic in a direct democratic system like Switzerland.
De Weck's diagnosis: a crisis of identity, meaning and returns
Roger de Weck provided the intellectual superstructure. His book "Das Prinzip Trotzdem - Warum wir den Journalismus vor den Medien retten müssen" (Suhrkamp) is a defense of journalism - against silence, against resignation. It describes an attitude: carry on, even if the circumstances are adverse. De Weck sees the current situation as a triple crisis: journalism is losing importance because the public is paying less attention to it. It is losing its identity because it too often aligns itself with social media. And it is losing its profitability because business models are eroding.
He criticized media companies that reduce quality and push sensationalism in order to survive digitally - with the paradoxical effect that they receive even less trust and attention as a result. The so-called Mittelbau - i.e. regional daily newspapers - are under particular pressure. Many have lost their backbone, the classified markets, to tech platforms. What remains is often a journalistic torso.
Principle Nevertheless - with a system
De Weck showed that things can be done differently - for example in the canton of Fribourg. There, the state not only promotes the distribution of regional media, but also participates in their financing via public institutions - without exerting any influence. The newspaper La Liberté remains editorially independent and benefits from broad support. Even free online subscriptions for young people have been introduced - a sign that media policy imagination also exists at cantonal level.
For De Weck, one thing is clear: journalism is not a purely private matter. It is part of the public infrastructure - just like the education system or public transport. Accordingly, the state must also take responsibility.
What journalism is missing
Despite many examples of resilience - from P.S. to Tsüri.ch - it became clear in the discussion what journalism in Switzerland also lacks: self-confidence. Public perception is weak and there is little pride in one's own role. In an environment in which wages are falling, budgets are shrinking and attacks on credibility are increasing, this attitude is explainable - but dangerous. Because if you talk yourself down, you also make yourself dispensable.
In this sense, Roger de Weck's "Das Prinzip Trotzdem - Warum wir den Journalismus vor den Medien retten müssen" is not just a description of the status quo. It is also a call: to carry on - and to stand up.
Roger de Weck's book "Das Prinzip Trotzdem - Warum wir den Journalismus vor den Medien retten müssen" has been published by edition suhrkamp SV. The book description reads: "Authoritarian populists are on the rise. Disinformation and fake news are rampant. And journalism, which should be fighting back? It can't get out of the crisis. There are more media, but fewer and fewer resources for journalism. Publishers want..." The book is available in stores.
