EU Commission examines Swiss press funding

According to the EU Commission
the reduced postal rates for the Swiss press under certain circumstances.
illegal state subsidies. The price reductions could
distort competition with foreign newspapers, reports the SDA.
The topic will be included on the agenda of the Joint Committee on the
free trade agreement of 1972, an EU official confirmed a
Le Temps reports to the news agency. According to the Geneva
newspaper, importers of
foreign newspapers complained to the EU that, unlike the
domestic publications would have to pay the full price. The
official told the SDA that the EU Commission
became aware of the problem through a study. From
this
clearly showed that the treatment was inadmissible and that a
state aid. "We will continue to
Switzerland to inform us officially and, if the situation develops
confirmed, demand that the situation changes," says the
EU officials continue.
The topic is also topical in Switzerland.
The federal government currently contributes CHF 80 million a year to reduce
with. However, this regulation expires at the end of 2007. Federal government, publishers and post office
In the so-called one-third model, equal shares are paid for the
press promotion via postal taxes. A resolution passed by Parliament
Motion calls for the continuation of indirect press funding;
However, it should be more targeted than before.