Leuthard wants to ensure earmarked support for the SDA
Media Minister Doris Leuthard wants to ensure that the planned two million francs to the SDA news agency are used for the intended purpose. This is to be guaranteed by a performance agreement with corresponding mechanisms, as Leuthard explained in the National Council.
The Federal Councillor reiterated on Monday during question time in the National Council that the sda should in future receive a maximum of two million francs from the fee pot. The Federal Council had proposed this in a revision of the ordinance.
The purpose of this measure, however, is not to support SDA or its shareholders, but to enable the fee-financed local radio stations and regional television stations to obtain specific journalistic services, Leuthard made clear to the Council. This is to be regulated in a service agreement. This will include mechanisms to ensure that the funds are used for the intended purpose, Leuthard said.
Journalistic quality
The SDA plays an important role for journalistic quality in the Swiss media landscape. However, it is a private company without a formal, legally anchored public service mandate.
Leuthard recalled that the Federal Chancellery has a service agreement with sda on behalf of the Confederation. The Federal Chancellery was constantly checking whether the news agency was complying with the service agreement.
Matthias Aebischer (SP/BE), Silva Semadeni (SP/GR) and Marco Romano (CVP/TI) had inquired.
Massive job cuts
SDA had announced in January that it would cut 36 of its 150 jobs. The management justified this step with the loss of revenue. The editorial staff resisted the job cuts and went on a four-day strike.
The subsequent discussions between the Board of Directors and the Editorial Commission did not produce any result. The Board of Directors therefore called on the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs to mediate. The staff then decided to suspend the strike. The editorial board expects the notice periods for terminations already issued to remain suspended during the proceedings. (SDA)
