Leuthard does not want to turn SRG into a news agency

According to Leuthard, an expansion of SRG's duties would be problematic in several respects. As a news service provider and customer, the company would find itself in a constant conflict of interests, she said.

Another problem would be media concentration, which would increase as a result. Such a central position of the SRG would harm the print media, Leuthard warned. The industry is already very critical of SRG's text information.

However, according to the media minister, the Federal Council is considering creating a legal basis for supporting a news agency as part of the new Electronic Media Act.

Leuthard had responded to a question from Fathi Derder (FDP/VD). In his view, the SDA no longer wants to fulfill its public service role. It is free to do so, Derder said. For him, however, the question arose whether the tasks of the SDA should not be transferred to the SRG.

Leuthard does not think much of that. She believes in the private sector, she replied to Derder. The private sector will be able to save the SDA and lead it into the modern age. (SDA)