Council of States wants comprehensive media article in the Federal Constitution
The Council of States wants to amend the media article in the Federal Constitution so that not only radio and television but also print media companies could receive direct funding. On Tuesday, it approved a parliamentary initiative by a vote of 24 to 16.
The initiative comes from former member of the Council of States Filippo Lombardi (CVP/TI). He justified his initiative by stating that the press remains the most important medium for forming opinions in elections and votes. Like radio and television, the press would provide a public service. This justifies direct support for the press.
All divisions and technologies
Lombardi therefore proposed a "media article" for the constitution that covers all sectors and is formulated in a technology-neutral way. The majority of the Telecommunications Committee of the Council of States (KVF-S) also considers the initiative to be sensible, as President Stefan Engler (CVP/GR) explained.
Engler believes that the Confederation should have more room for maneuver in light of new technologies and the changing professional profile of journalists. The initiative received support from the SP, the Greens and representatives of the centrist parliamentary group.
Beat Rieder (CVP/VS) noted that an unprecedented concentration was taking place in the printed press, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland. "Titles are disappearing almost every year." Charles Juillard (CVP/JU) put in a word for regional media. These needed security.
FDP refers to freedom of the press
The FDP and SVP rejected the proposal. The measures pending in Parliament to support the media could be implemented with the current constitutional provision, said Olivier Français (FDP/VD). The requested constitutional amendment would run counter to freedom of the press and diversity of opinion.
If you want to help the media, you need targeted intervention at the legislative level, said Français, raising the question of why private companies should be supported by a constitutional provision.
Paul Rechsteiner (SP/SG) countered that even if a concrete proposal for supporting the media is in the works, the constitutional basis for media funding should be scrutinized and, if necessary, renovated. In response to Français' concerns, he said that the constitution guarantees media freedom.
Direct press promotion impossible today
The Article 93 of the Federal Constitution in question today only regulates radio and television. Other media are only mentioned in passing. According to this, "consideration must be given to the position and role of other media, especially the press".
The wording of "other forms of public broadcasting" is also controversial. The question is whether or not service contracts and the associated subsidies are permissible for this media sector.
It is clear that the federal government currently has no constitutional basis for regulating and directly promoting the press. Initiator Lombardi described this as "no longer in keeping with the times".
Controversial promotion of online media
Critics of the current media article point out that the press could now also be at a disadvantage compared to online media. In the new media law, which the National Council is expected to discuss again in the spring, online media will now be eligible for funding. However, this point is controversial.
The initiative will now go to the National Council. Its preliminary committee voted against it in September 2019 - i.e. before Parliament was reconstituted - by 15 votes to 7 with one abstention. If Parliament were to approve an amendment to the constitution anyway, a majority of the people and the cantons would be required in a vote. (SDA)
