Expert survey: Public service in need of reform
Switzerland is also dependent on an efficient public service in the media sector, but reforms are indispensable. It is unlikely that this will lead to major upheavals. However, SRG must be prepared for restrictions.
This is shown by Publicom's new expert survey. The Delphinarium experts are obviously convinced that public broadcasting has a right to exist even under today's media conditions, as it fulfills important functions that the market cannot provide. However, a clear majority is of the opinion that there is a need for reform. Quite obviously, the experts question the role of SRG and its performance mandate. However, they are cautious about the scope of the reforms and are guided by what is politically feasible. Accordingly, the vast majority believe that the SRG's performance mandates would be slightly adjusted in view of the 2018 relicensing. However, they consider radical intervention in the dual system to be unlikely.
Restrictions for SRG and more transparency
The DELPHInarium expects concrete changes most likely in the financial transparency of the SRG. SRG has already announced initial measures on this point. The DELPHInarium also sees a certain chance of a political redefinition of the public service and a restriction of the SRG offering on the Internet, while a reduction in programming already seems relatively unlikely - as does the assumption that the organizational structure of the SRG would change significantly. According to Delphinarium experts, a complete ban on advertising for SRG, as demanded by publishers in the aftermath of the June 14 vote, is also unlikely to be realized.
Under the term Delphinarium, Publicom, which specializes in media research and consulting, publishes the results of a survey of experts twice a year. The panel includes forty experts from leading media companies as well as representatives from advertising, media journalism, communications science and corporate communications.
