"Health consultation hour" again in the sights of Bakom
The Federal Office of Communications (Bakom) is conducting a regulatory investigation into the Ringier TV program «Gesundheit Sprechstunde.» A sponsor may have received promotional exposure in two episodes.
The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) is conducting supervisory proceedings against the Ringier TV program "Gesundheit Sprechstunde". A sponsor may have received an advertising appearance in two programs. The Schulthess Clinic in Zurich was mentioned as a sponsor in the programs in question. At the same time, doctors from this clinic had a "conspicuous presence" in these broadcasts, as Susanne Marxer, Co-Head of the Legal Service for Radio and Television at Bakom, explained on request.
According to SDA, Marxer confirmed a report in the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Thursday that Bakom is now examining in a supervisory procedure whether the sponsor made an advertising appearance. According to the Radio and TV Act (RTVA), a promotional appearance by a sponsor is not permitted and is tantamount to surreptitious advertising.
This is not the first time that the program "Gesundheit Sprechstunde" has been targeted by the supervisory authority Bakom. In 2006, Ringier TV was fined CHF 5,000 for surreptitious advertising and undeclared sponsors and had to hand over part of its sponsorship income.
Bakom proceedings are also currently underway against Swiss Television SF due to possible advertising on its website, which is prohibited for SF. And last spring, Bakom found a violation of sponsorship regulations in connection with the coverage of the America's Cup sailing regatta. Other proceedings concerned possible surreptitious advertising in the "Swiss Award" program or unauthorized advertising on Swiss television's "Weather Channel".
According to SDA, Marxer confirmed a report in the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Thursday that Bakom is now examining in a supervisory procedure whether the sponsor made an advertising appearance. According to the Radio and TV Act (RTVA), a promotional appearance by a sponsor is not permitted and is tantamount to surreptitious advertising.
This is not the first time that the program "Gesundheit Sprechstunde" has been targeted by the supervisory authority Bakom. In 2006, Ringier TV was fined CHF 5,000 for surreptitious advertising and undeclared sponsors and had to hand over part of its sponsorship income.
Bakom proceedings are also currently underway against Swiss Television SF due to possible advertising on its website, which is prohibited for SF. And last spring, Bakom found a violation of sponsorship regulations in connection with the coverage of the America's Cup sailing regatta. Other proceedings concerned possible surreptitious advertising in the "Swiss Award" program or unauthorized advertising on Swiss television's "Weather Channel".
