ROG Switzerland: Black day for the media landscape in French-speaking Switzerland
Reporters Without Borders has issued a statement regarding the latest issue of L’Hebdo, in which it calls on Ringier to take responsibility and act cooperatively with regard to a potential takeover of the magazine by a third party. Reporters Without Borders views the closure of L’Hebdo as a serious threat to press diversity in French-speaking Switzerland.
This Thursday, February 2, is a black day for the Swiss press and especially for that of French-speaking Switzerland. With the last appearance of L'Hebdo, the only weekly print news magazine disappears, while the editorial staff of Le Temps faces a new drastic restructuring.
The disappearance of L'Hebdo seriously affects the diversity and pluralism of the press in French-speaking Switzerland. Reporters Without Borders (ROG) expresses its solidarity with the employees of L'Hebdo and Le Temps and reminds the publisher, Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland, of its responsibility towards the people affected by the closure of L'Hebdo and the restructuring at Le Temps. Furthermore, the company should not close its mind to a continuation or takeover of the magazine by third parties.
ROG Switzerland by no means underestimates the difficulties and challenges currently facing the printed press. But our democracy needs free and independent media more than ever. ROG Switzerland therefore calls on the authorities - at all levels - to quickly develop and implement measures to support the press that do not compromise its indispensable editorial independence.
