More subsidies for the delivery of regional and local press

In the coming year, the federal government will subsidize the delivery of regional and local newspapers by 28 centimes per copy. This is 3 centimes more than in the current year. Membership and foundation press titles will receive 22 centimes per copy, which is 2 centimes more than in 2024.

(Iconic image: Unsplash.com)

The Federal Council determined these reductions on Friday. The reason for the increase is that there is enough money in the funding pot. The federal government has CHF 30 million at its disposal for the indirect promotion of regional and local daily and weekly newspapers. The Federal Council had reduced the delivery discounts for the current year.

On October 1, 2024, 147 regional and local press titles met the requirements for a delivery allowance as part of indirect press subsidies. They have a total annual circulation of 104.6 million copies - 5.9 million fewer than a year ago.

Next year, the 870 titles in the membership and foundation press will receive more indirect funding. As the CHF 20 million available for funding was not exhausted last year, publishers will receive 22 centimes per copy in 2025, which is 2 centimes more than before.

Innovations under discussion

Efforts are underway in Parliament to extend indirect press funding for a limited period of seven years. The aim is to give smaller publishers financial leeway for the digital transformation.

These proposals take up undisputed elements of the media package that was rejected by the people at the ballot box on February 13, 2022. Regional radio and TV stations, the Press Council, journalism training and news agencies are also to receive more money in future. (SDA)

More articles on the topic