SF and Ringier TV reach agreement over "Kassensturz" report
Swiss Television, Ringier TV and Presse TV have reached an agreement in the dispute over the "Kassensturz" program on the "Krebsgala". SF sprinkles ashes on its head: The "Kassensturz" editorial team expresses regret if the impression was created that Ringier TV was making a profit with the production of the "Krebsgala". Fibo Deutsch expressed its satisfaction with this solution to Werbewoche.
Swiss Television, Ringier TV and Presse TV have reached an agreement in the dispute over the "Kassensturz" program on the "Cancer Gala". In a statement by SF editor-in-chief Ueli Haldimann, the "Kassensturz" editorial team states that it did not want to give the impression that Ringier TV was making a profit from the production of the "Krebsgala". If this impression was created, she regrets it. The dispute was sparked by a report last November about the Cancer League's fundraising show "Krebsgala", which is produced by Ringier TV and broadcast on Press TV. The financing of the show was criticized as non-transparent. Ringier TV and Presse TV then filed a complaint with the SRG Ombudsman for untrue and misleading representation, which had caused great damage to the Cancer League (see
and ). According to the SRG newsletter on Tuesday, ombudsman Achille Casanova acknowledged that "the matter is proving to be complex". He therefore organized a meeting with representatives of Ringer TV, Presse TV and SF on 19 March 2008. Participants included Hans Jürg "Fibo" Deutsch as representative of Ringier TV and Presse TV, SF editor-in-chief Ueli Haldimann, "Kassensturz" editorial director Wolfgang Wettstein and the author of the disputed report.
According to Casanova, the participants had "an open, interesting and constructive discussion". Even though various misunderstandings were cleared up, both parties basically confirmed their own assessment. Nevertheless, it was possible to find an amicable solution. Haldimann's statement to Ringier TV and Presse TV reads as follows: "The 'Kassensturz' editorial team would like to state the following about the controversial program: It was not the intention of Kassensturz to create the impression that Ringier TV was making a profit from the production of the cancer gala. If this impression was nevertheless created, we regret it." In return, the two complainants consider the matter to be settled and waive any further legal action.
"We are satisfied with this solution," Presse TV boss Fibo Deutsch told Werbewoche. "What is important for us is Ueli Haldimann's explanation and the fact that the 'Kassensturz' editorial team has apologized. It is rare that 'Kassensturz' regrets something". The amicable agreement was reached "because we don't want to argue as a matter of principle".
and ). According to the SRG newsletter on Tuesday, ombudsman Achille Casanova acknowledged that "the matter is proving to be complex". He therefore organized a meeting with representatives of Ringer TV, Presse TV and SF on 19 March 2008. Participants included Hans Jürg "Fibo" Deutsch as representative of Ringier TV and Presse TV, SF editor-in-chief Ueli Haldimann, "Kassensturz" editorial director Wolfgang Wettstein and the author of the disputed report.
According to Casanova, the participants had "an open, interesting and constructive discussion". Even though various misunderstandings were cleared up, both parties basically confirmed their own assessment. Nevertheless, it was possible to find an amicable solution. Haldimann's statement to Ringier TV and Presse TV reads as follows: "The 'Kassensturz' editorial team would like to state the following about the controversial program: It was not the intention of Kassensturz to create the impression that Ringier TV was making a profit from the production of the cancer gala. If this impression was nevertheless created, we regret it." In return, the two complainants consider the matter to be settled and waive any further legal action.
"We are satisfied with this solution," Presse TV boss Fibo Deutsch told Werbewoche. "What is important for us is Ueli Haldimann's explanation and the fact that the 'Kassensturz' editorial team has apologized. It is rare that 'Kassensturz' regrets something". The amicable agreement was reached "because we don't want to argue as a matter of principle".
