Cries for help from the wallflower corner
Press Subsidies: Free newspapers feel sidelined by new subsidy models, but their criticism is falling on deaf ears at the Swiss Press Association.
Press subsidies Free newspapers feel ignored by new subsidy models, but run with their criticism at the
Swiss Press Association.
The fight for recognition has been one of the most important concerns of the Association of Free Newspapers (VSGZ) since it was founded. It is a historical fact that the free press has never felt that it was taken seriously as a fully-fledged print media category. In the midst of the escalating debate about the modalities of the new press subsidy, the VSGZ now wants to seize the opportunity to break out of its wallflower existence. In a recently published press release, it demanded that free newspapers should be included in the concept for future press subsidies, and VSGZ Secretary Hannes Zaugg backs up his claim with the success story of the free newspaper 20 Minuten. In terms of reach, the commuter newspaper has caught up with Switzerland's highest-circulation daily newspaper, Blick. "This shows that free newspapers cover the information needs of a large section of the population," says Zaugg.
The fact is, however, that the free press has not yet been given a place in the two press promotion models being debated. The parliamentary initiative "Media and Democracy" (direct press promotion), whose media article was recently approved by the National Council, removes free titles from the list of eligible titles from the outset. Although the policy paper of the Swiss Press Association does not explicitly exclude the free press, it does not mention it at all.
No privilege for paid titles
However, the VSGZ points out emphatically that free newspapers also provide valuable public services and concludes that they are just as worthy of support. "This category of press addresses topics of national and socio-political relevance in the same way as the paid media. The fact that it does this at a local level - and accordingly local politics,
clubs and local sport to the fore - is only logical," explains Zaugg. It is particularly commendable that VSGZ members provide these services in peripheral regions where the daily press is poorly represented. As an example, Zaugg cites the weekly newspaper for Emmental and Entlebuch, which reports in detail from every corner of its catchment area with around 25 correspondents. "Its strong roots make this weekly newspaper an indispensable medium for the inhabitants of this region," says Zaugg.
The same applies to a metropolitan newspaper such as GHI, which is delivered free of charge to Geneva households. This newspaper, which is read by more Genevans than the Tribune de Genève, also addresses political and social issues relevant to the region. To demonstrate the diversity of the public service tasks, Zaugg also highlights the bilingual free newspaper Biel/Bienne. "This newspaper makes an important contribution to linguistic integration."
The recognition of these achievements, and not the entitlement to subsidies, is currently the most important concern for the VSGZ. "We didn't say in our paper that we want subsidies," explains Zaugg.
Courted by the association
The Swiss Press Association (CHP) has been open to the VSGZ's proposal. "The claim is justified, we have never tried to limit the press funding model to our members," explains CHP Managing Director Daniel Kaczynski. At this early stage of the discussion on press funding, however, it has not yet been possible to hold direct talks with representatives of all potential stakeholder groups. However, this will still happen.
It is also clear that the CHP needs to broaden its horizons in order to do justice to the issue of press subsidies. Today, around 3,000 titles receive postal tax reductions, while only around 300 titles are represented in the association.
Kaczynski shares the VSGZ's position. "What is a public service has nothing to do with whether a press title costs anything or not." The association had already held this debate in connection with its restructuring around two years ago. At that time, it was decided to no longer differentiate between paid and free titles and, as a result, to also welcome free newspapers into the association.
Despite this, the titles organized in the VSGZ, along with numerous other representatives of the free press, are still not members of the CHP. The fact that the path to their integration is taking a little longer must also be seen in the light of the deep-rooted fears of contact between free and paid titles, which cannot be dispelled overnight. But efforts are underway. "We are in contact with the VSGZ," explains Kaczynski. "It would make sense for these titles to become members, because then they would have a voice in the association."
Hannes Zaugg, Secretary of the Association of Free Newspapers.
Free newspapers provide a public service and also want to benefit from press subsidies.
Daniel Schifferle
Swiss Press Association.
The fight for recognition has been one of the most important concerns of the Association of Free Newspapers (VSGZ) since it was founded. It is a historical fact that the free press has never felt that it was taken seriously as a fully-fledged print media category. In the midst of the escalating debate about the modalities of the new press subsidy, the VSGZ now wants to seize the opportunity to break out of its wallflower existence. In a recently published press release, it demanded that free newspapers should be included in the concept for future press subsidies, and VSGZ Secretary Hannes Zaugg backs up his claim with the success story of the free newspaper 20 Minuten. In terms of reach, the commuter newspaper has caught up with Switzerland's highest-circulation daily newspaper, Blick. "This shows that free newspapers cover the information needs of a large section of the population," says Zaugg.
The fact is, however, that the free press has not yet been given a place in the two press promotion models being debated. The parliamentary initiative "Media and Democracy" (direct press promotion), whose media article was recently approved by the National Council, removes free titles from the list of eligible titles from the outset. Although the policy paper of the Swiss Press Association does not explicitly exclude the free press, it does not mention it at all.
No privilege for paid titles
However, the VSGZ points out emphatically that free newspapers also provide valuable public services and concludes that they are just as worthy of support. "This category of press addresses topics of national and socio-political relevance in the same way as the paid media. The fact that it does this at a local level - and accordingly local politics,
clubs and local sport to the fore - is only logical," explains Zaugg. It is particularly commendable that VSGZ members provide these services in peripheral regions where the daily press is poorly represented. As an example, Zaugg cites the weekly newspaper for Emmental and Entlebuch, which reports in detail from every corner of its catchment area with around 25 correspondents. "Its strong roots make this weekly newspaper an indispensable medium for the inhabitants of this region," says Zaugg.
The same applies to a metropolitan newspaper such as GHI, which is delivered free of charge to Geneva households. This newspaper, which is read by more Genevans than the Tribune de Genève, also addresses political and social issues relevant to the region. To demonstrate the diversity of the public service tasks, Zaugg also highlights the bilingual free newspaper Biel/Bienne. "This newspaper makes an important contribution to linguistic integration."
The recognition of these achievements, and not the entitlement to subsidies, is currently the most important concern for the VSGZ. "We didn't say in our paper that we want subsidies," explains Zaugg.
Courted by the association
The Swiss Press Association (CHP) has been open to the VSGZ's proposal. "The claim is justified, we have never tried to limit the press funding model to our members," explains CHP Managing Director Daniel Kaczynski. At this early stage of the discussion on press funding, however, it has not yet been possible to hold direct talks with representatives of all potential stakeholder groups. However, this will still happen.
It is also clear that the CHP needs to broaden its horizons in order to do justice to the issue of press subsidies. Today, around 3,000 titles receive postal tax reductions, while only around 300 titles are represented in the association.
Kaczynski shares the VSGZ's position. "What is a public service has nothing to do with whether a press title costs anything or not." The association had already held this debate in connection with its restructuring around two years ago. At that time, it was decided to no longer differentiate between paid and free titles and, as a result, to also welcome free newspapers into the association.
Despite this, the titles organized in the VSGZ, along with numerous other representatives of the free press, are still not members of the CHP. The fact that the path to their integration is taking a little longer must also be seen in the light of the deep-rooted fears of contact between free and paid titles, which cannot be dispelled overnight. But efforts are underway. "We are in contact with the VSGZ," explains Kaczynski. "It would make sense for these titles to become members, because then they would have a voice in the association."
Hannes Zaugg, Secretary of the Association of Free Newspapers.
Free newspapers provide a public service and also want to benefit from press subsidies.
Daniel Schifferle
