Ombudsman's office reports fewer complaints

Last year, the ombudsman's office received 20 fewer complaints than in 2004, namely a total of 150. Four out of five complaints related to a television program, the remainder to a radio report. 42 percent of the complaints related to "inappropriate or politically biased" reporting. 21 percent complained about defamation and 16 percent about offending religious feelings. This was reported by the magazine Link of the Audience Council and the SRG member companies. According to ombudsman Achille Casanova, who has held the office since August 2005, it is noticeable that broadcasts are often criticized on the basis of personal concern and not on the basis of journalistic criteria. Nevertheless, Casanova judged 43 percent of complaints to be more or less justified. However, the increase in justified cases should be seen as a coincidence and cannot be seen as an indication of a deterioration in the programs. Seven percent of the complaints dealt with were referred to the independent complaints authority UBI. According to Casanova, this confirms the value of the ombudsman's office.