Committee of the Council of States wants to expand indirect press subsidies

The printed press continues to play a key role in shaping public opinion in Switzerland, writes the Commission in a press release issued on Tuesday. It is confronted with existential economic challenges. In order to safeguard their future prospects, the print media must both master the digital transformation and continue to be published on paper.

In the opinion of the KVF, they can be supported quickly and efficiently in this way with indirect press funding. The Confederation currently provides CHF 50 million annually for this purpose. This is used to subsidize the delivery of newspapers and magazines.

With his initiative, Stefan Engler, a member of the CVP Council of States from Graubünden, is calling for the promotion of subscription-based daily newspapers, regional weekly newspapers and Sunday newspapers in the digital transformation. Funding should primarily be provided for the delivery and distribution of these newspapers. The Federal Council should be able to define criteria such as editorial content, advertising and national languages.

Engler's initiative was adopted unanimously by the KVF, another by Councillor of States Géraldine Savary (SP/VD) by 8 votes to 3. Savary is calling for part of the radio and television levy to be used to support press companies, for example in indirect press promotion. In addition, the press should also be able to be supported with the surpluses from the levy shares.

Finally, the KVF unanimously approved an initiative by Councillor of States Filippo Lombardi (CVP/TI). He wants to amend the media article in the Federal Constitution so that not only radio and television, but also press companies could be supported. Lobardi writes that the press remains demonstrably the most important medium for forming opinions in elections and votes.

The KVF states that the long-term horizon of a possible constitutional amendment can also be included in the future discussion on the exact form of press funding. The three initiatives will now go to the National Council committee. If the latter agrees, the KVF of the Council of States can draw up corresponding decrees.

The Swiss Media Association welcomes the decisions in a statement and speaks of a "first important step towards preserving Swiss media diversity". It calls for an increase of CHF 90 million in indirect press subsidies. This urgent expansion should not be delayed by the discussion about a possible constitutional amendment. (SDA)