Almost 72 percent no votes: Voters reject No-Billag initiative by a large margin
Radio and television license fees will not be abolished. On Sunday, the people and the cantons clearly rejected the No-Billag initiative. 71.6 percent of voters and all cantons voted “No.” The vast majority thus expressed their support for public service media.
Around 2,098,100 people voted no, while 833,600 people accepted the initiative. The referendum was most clearly rejected in French-speaking Switzerland. The highest percentage of "no" votes was recorded in the canton of Neuchâtel with 78.3 percent, followed by the cantons of Jura (78.1), Fribourg (77.6), Grisons (77.2) and Vaud (76.5).
The highest approval was reported by the canton of Schwyz. There, too, however, 62.4 percent of voters rejected the initiative. In the canton of Schaffhausen, the figure was 62.7 percent.
Fierce voting campaign
Although a "No" vote had been on the cards, the result was clearer than expected. In the last gfs survey, 65 percent said they would definitely or rather reject the initiative; the Tamedia survey came to a No vote of 60 percent.
At the beginning of the referendum campaign, the signs had even pointed to a possible yes vote. In December, a survey by the market research institute Marketagent.com showed a Yes majority. As a result, nerves were frayed in the referendum campaign. The debate was heated and emotional.
Strong commitment to SRG
Now SRG can breathe a sigh of relief. The electorate has made it clear that it still wants fee-financed radio and television. The high proportion of "no" votes is a strong endorsement of the public media service. The SVP and the trade association, which supported the initiative, suffered a defeat.
However, the initiators - members of the Young Freisinnige and the Young SVP from the libertarian milieu - can claim to have triggered a loud discussion about public service media. The referendum hit the spirit of the times: Public broadcasters are also under pressure in other countries.
More than a media debate
In addition, the initiators helped the libertarian ideology, which had previously received little attention in Switzerland, to gain attention. The concept of "everyone only pays for what they personally use" was a talking point. Opponents warned of a lack of solidarity that could endanger cohesion in the country if the approach were to catch on. Radio and television broadcasts also benefit those who do not use them, the opponents argued. After all, informed citizens are an important prerequisite for the functioning of a democracy.
SRG still has to make savings
The electorate was apparently convinced. The constitutional article on radio and television remains unchanged after Sunday's No vote. Nor is SRG threatened with liquidation. Changes are nevertheless on the horizon.
On the one hand, SRG will only receive CHF 1.2 billion from the fee pot from 2019, 40 million less than today. On the other hand, it is struggling with declining advertising revenues. Overall, SRG executives want to save 100 million. They announced reforms on Sunday.
To be continued
And the discussion about the amount of the fees is not over yet. With the change to a general levy, the amount for households will drop from today's 451 francs to 365 francs a year in 2019. However, parliamentary motions for a lower amount have already been announced.
Opponents of No Billag, on the other hand, are taking the position that the SRG should no longer be cut after the clear vote. What is needed, they demand, is not less public service, but one that is in keeping with the times. From this corner, a popular initiative for "media diversity in the digital age" has been announced.
New media law
The Federal Council also wants to adapt the rules to the Internet age. It wants to present a draft for a new media law by the summer. Direct media subsidies are under discussion. For reasons of state and democratic policy, the goal must be to ensure diversity and quality in journalism, explained Media Minister Doris Leuthard in an interview.
The Federal Council is therefore considering using existing funds to provide financial support for online media and the SDA news agency in addition to radio and TV in the future. The Federal Council had already set out the direction in a report from 2016.
New concession
The consultation process for the new SRG license, which will apply from 2019, has already begun. The programs of SRF radio and television are to be more strongly distinguished from those of the private broadcasters. In addition, SRG is to enter into more cooperative ventures with private broadcasters. At least half of the reception fees should continue to flow into information.
Furthermore, the Federal Council wants to allow the SRG to target group-specific advertising in the future. However, this form of advertising is to be restricted. In particular, it must not be directed at regional target groups. Publishers nevertheless criticized the plans in the consultation on the revision of the Radio and Television Ordinance.
If the No Billag initiative had been approved, radio and television fees would have been abolished. In addition to SRG, private radio stations, regional TV stations and the Swiss film and music scene would also have been affected. (SDA)
