"Federal Council underestimates the dramatic situation of regional media".
The fact that the Federal Council recognizes the difficult situation facing the media but is not taking appropriate action is a source of concern not only for CH-Media publisher Peter Wanner.
In its response to an interpellation by BDP National Councillor Bernhard Guhl, the Federal Council writes that it is aware of the "difficult situation". The current development is endangering media diversity.
Even if everyone - the Federal Council, the Swiss Media Association (VSM) and interpellant Guhl - seems to agree on this: The national government apparently sees no reason to act. Guhl complains to Schweiz am Wochenende that the Federal Council rejects the expansion of indirect press funding and does not show in any other way how regional reporting, which is central to democracy, can be maintained.
If VSM Vice President and CH-Media publisher Peter Wanner had his way, indirect press subsidies via postal delivery would have to be increased from CHF 30 million to CHF 100 million per year "as emergency aid". "The Federal Council is underestimating the dramatic situation of most regional media," says Wanner. All regional newspapers should also be able to benefit from indirect press subsidies - including those that cooperate in the national section and thus achieve a higher circulation than 100,000 copies. This limitation is "no longer in keeping with the times", Wanner told Schweiz am Wochenende. These titles are now left empty-handed. The Federal Council's aim today is to promote small-circulation titles. Wanner counters that regional newspapers in a network also have small circulations and employ independent local editorial teams.
Wanner's publishing house CH Media, which also publishes Schweiz am Wochenende, recently announced its intention to cut 200 jobs (Werbewoche.ch reported).
