Both Basel cantons reject a reduction in the radio and television fee
Following the Canton of Basel-Stadt, the government of Basel-Landschaft has also rejected the Federal Council’s partial revision of the Radio and Television Ordinance (RTVV). A reduction in the media levy would run diametrically counter to the goals of quality standards and the provision of information. Furthermore, this would particularly affect the Basel region as the home of the SRG, the government announced on Wednesday.
The Federal Council's proposal, which is now undergoing consultation, merely changes the SRG initiative from "200 francs is enough" to "300 francs is enough". However, the question of the meaning and purpose of the SRG's public service for the regions and Switzerland as a whole remains unanswered, criticized the President of the Government, Monica Gschwind (FDP), on behalf of the executive of Basel-Landschaft.
It sees the planned reduction in fees as a major risk that media offerings in the regions will disappear and the quality and diversity of information will decline. The government also assumes that the reduction in fees will lead to centralization. Numerous jobs are likely to be lost in the Basel region as an SRG location.
Last week, the government of Basel-Stadt already spoke out against the partial revision to reduce fees. A strong public media service for all language regions is essential, the Basel executive announced, also referring to SRG's roots in the region.
Consultation before completion
Media Minister Albert Rösti (SVP) wants to oppose the partial revision of the RTVO to the submitted halving initiative. The Federal Council rejects the reduction in Serafe fees from CHF 335 to CHF 200 per year and household called for in the initiative. Instead, it is proposing a reduction to CHF 300 from 2029, among other things. The Federal Council does not want to oppose the initiative by amending the constitution or the law, but rather reduce the fees at ordinance level.
The federal government sent the partial revision of the RTVO to the cantons for comment. The consultation period will last until February 1, 2024, and the Federal Council must submit its dispatch on the SRG initiative to Parliament before the summer vacations. (SDA)
