"New low": Imprint calls for "Weko emergency brake" and a halt to terminations
The death of diversity in journalistic publishing reaches a new low with the joint venture, according to Impressum. The journalists' association demands that the companies refrain from dismissals and that the federal government and the cantons take immediate measures.
Following the announcement of the merger of the regional newspapers of AZ Medien and the NZZ Group, Urs Thalmann, Managing Director of Impressum, observes: "The fact that the economic model of the publishers no longer functions sufficiently to guarantee the diversity necessary for democracy is obvious with this new bad news. Until further notice, the market can no longer be expected to guarantee the diversity of information in journalistic quality media on its own. The Weko must intervene and rapid support measures by the federal government and the cantons are essential."
Media law comes too late
It would take several years before a new federal media law could come into force, and the loss until then would be unjustifiable, on the one hand by valuable journalistic infrastructures falling victim to austerity fever and on the other hand by costly trained journalists being forced to switch to another profession, warns Impressum. The pretextual issue of whether or not there is federal competence for state media and press promotion should not be used as an excuse for inaction. After all, Switzerland has an unbroken division of powers between the federal government and the cantons, the statement continues. If the federal government does not act, the responsibility lies with the cantons.
Waiver of staff reductions and commitment to media promotion
From the publishers, "who for the time being are only responding to the decline in advertising and subscribers with cutbacks," Imprint demands "that they admit the failure of the market for journalistic products and thus make it possible for themselves to work constructively on the design of direct journalism promotion, which they have categorically rejected up to now." Until funding is provided, the publishers should make it credible that journalistic diversity is one of their priorities by putting a stop to cutbacks, the demand continues.
Tendering of service contracts by the federal government and cantons
Imprint proposes that cantonal and/or federal performance contracts be put out to tender. Both existing and new journalistic information providers should be able to apply for them. The financing would have to come from general funds, because the household tax (Billag) has a different purpose and its redistribution would not solve the problem, but only postpone it, the journalists' association is convinced.
The Weko emergency brake is required
If Imprint has its way, the planned joint venture must be prevented. As a first step, the Competition Commission (Comco) would have to return to its responsibility under Article 1 of the Cartel Act to "prevent the economically or socially harmful effects of cartels and other restrictions on competition" and prohibit this merger and the merger of the Tamedia titles. This is because the domination of the publishing market can also be "socially harmful," especially if it restricts the diversity of opinion and information "and thus the freedom of information of every single inhabitant slowly degenerates into a paper corpse." Not only the economic market, but also journalistic diversity must be ensured by the Weko. (pd/hae)
