Ottfried Jarren: Domestic Press Freedom Must Be Upholded

"Every loss is problematic," the professor at the Institute of Journalism and Media Research at the University of Zurich said Wednesday in an interview with the news agency SDA. It is the job of journalists to observe society and explain the world, he said. "Different editorial departments are shaped differently and report and comment differently."

The fewer independent editorial offices there are, the more the spectrum of reflection on the democratic process narrows, Jarren said. The task now, he said, must be to ensure diversity even in the new structures and to preserve the internal freedom of the press. This requires good management, he said. "We need independent journalists who can work autonomously."

Ensure quality

Jarren was relieved that no jobs are to be cut for the time being. Presumably, savings will first be made by reducing administrative expenses.

He said it was also gratifying that Tamedia was focusing on competence with the shell editorial teams and holding out the prospect of more effective research. "It remains to be seen whether they can deliver what they promise." As a major publishing house, however, Tamedia can be expected to "do everything in its power to ensure or expand its high quality.

In the scientist's view, the trend toward closer cooperation is not ill will on the part of the publishers. On the contrary, he says, it is necessary in order to survive in the press market with its structural problems. Many consumers are no longer willing to pay for media content. In addition, advertising revenues are declining.

Tamedia therefore wants to increasingly "exploit digital growth opportunities" and generate more digital subscriptions, according to the company. Among other things, personalized news, a video app and audio articles are to help. Jarren has a mixed view of the prospects for success. The question is what the audience wants and what advertising can finance, he said. "There is probably no silver bullet. In any case, you need good content."

It would be difficult to enforce a paywall for all general content because there will always be competing offers for free, albeit perhaps of poorer quality.

The strategy of making a name for oneself locally is a good one, he says. "That's where you reach people and can work markets well," says Jarren. But there is also a danger of regional sections becoming too big, Jarren says. "The question is whether you can manage this balancing act."

Market does not regulate everything

Long-term forecasts about the Swiss media landscape are difficult, according to the journalist. One negative scenario is that there will be more and more restrictions. In French-speaking Switzerland, the situation is already "critical" in terms of journalistic diversity. "The market will probably not sort it out on its own," says Jarren, who also serves as president of the Federal Media Commission (EMEK) appointed by the Federal Council.

In order to ensure journalistic coverage, publicly financed media such as the SRG and privately licensed media are also in demand. Here, it is necessary to consider how the SRG's performance mandate could also look in relation to the regions, for example. The question of media subsidies will also arise. (SDA/lif)