The councils agree: Private companies should be allowed to take over SRG contributions
The chambers of parliament want to allow private Swiss media outlets to rebroadcast SRG programs. The SRG would also be required to provide short versions and individual audio clips. On Monday, the Council of States also approved a motion from the National Council containing this demand.
In this way, the councils want to prevent individual providers from being favored through cooperation with SRG. Fee-financed content should be available to a broader audience, said commission spokesman Olivier Français (FDP/VD).
This corresponds to the cooperation that SRG already offers today, Media Minister Doris Leuthard recalled. However, she announced that the issue would be included in the planned law on electronic media.
Unlike the upper chamber, however, the Council of States does not want to oblige SRG to acquire the copyrights and rights of use necessary for transfer. It has amended the motion accordingly.
The Council of States also amended another motion. This calls for the abolition of the rule according to which a broadcaster can hold a maximum of two television licenses and two radio licenses. The small chamber unanimously agreed to this. The Federal Council is planning to abolish this rule anyway as part of the new media law, Leuthard explained.
However, the Council of States rejected the demand to simultaneously increase the coverage areas. These have already been expanded in recent years, said commission spokesman Raphaël Comte (FDP/NE). A further enlargement would lead to undesirable overlaps. The organizers would run the risk of losing their regional roots, Leuthard warned. (SDA)
