Swiss Press Council reprimands Saldo: like should be compared with like

Under the title "Teaching materials from Zurich: Expensive and unpopular," Saldo reported on an English textbook published by Lehrmittelverlag Zürich. Following criticism from teachers, this textbook was replaced by a textbook from the German publisher Klett. The Zurich education authorities had learned nothing from this, and the new math textbook was again criticized by teachers: it was too complex and too expensive.

The publisher of teaching materials in Zurich complained to the Swiss Press Council against this article: It contained false price information and incorrect figures regarding the teachers involved in the development of the teaching materials. In addition, the journalist should have heard the publisher out on the serious accusations.

For the Press Council, the accusation of incorrect prices as well as incorrect figures on the teachers included is not created. Saldo was in an intensive exchange with the head of the publisher of teaching materials and did not make any serious accusations against the publisher. A hearing was therefore not mandatory. The Press Council also does not support the accusation that Saldo did not inform the publisher about the objective of its research.

However, the Press Council agrees with the publisher of teaching materials on one point: When comparing the two math textbooks, Saldo should have pointed out that the new math book from the Zurich publisher also contains a geometry section. The price comparison also does not take into account the fact that the new book includes workbooks, which eliminates a considerable amount of copying. The Press Council therefore concludes that the reader was deprived of important information that would have enabled him to assess the cost of the new math book. It reminds readers that particular care should be taken when comparing prices: like should be compared with like.