Switzerland does not take action against "fake news"

Before Christmas The mirror revealed that Germany is planning to set up an institution in the Chancellery to combat so-called "fake news" and social bots. In view of the upcoming Bundestag elections, the aim is to prevent deliberately disseminated false reports on social networks from influencing political decision-making. The phenomenon of demonstrably fictitious reports being spread, shared and found to be true was recently observed and proven several times during the US presidential elections and on both sides. This is referred to as the "post-factual age", in which the truthfulness of reports and the quality of sources play a subordinate role. Today, more and more people obtain their information exclusively from social media and are thus "defenselessly" exposed to news that they are unable or unwilling to assess for accuracy.

In Switzerland, a similar approach to the new phenomenon of "fake news" is not an issue, as Schweiz am Sonntag writes. Bakom spokesperson Reto Hügli says on request that there is no legal basis for this. According to Hügli, there are no provisions in either the Telecommunications Act or the Radio and Television Act that would allow intervention in such cases. However, "fake news" broadcast on radio and television could be challenged via the Independent Complaints Authority (UBI).

Meanwhile, media companies are mobilizing against false reports. Last week, around 40 media outlets - including DPA, the BBC and the Washington Post - joined the "First Draft Coalition". The aim is to join forces in order to work more efficiently in researching and verifying stories from the internet. The members want to develop standards for dealing with false reports. This will provide journalists with tools and instructions on how to verify stories circulating on the Internet as quickly and reliably as possible. (hae/SaS)