Solothurn government wants to maintain public service in the region
The Solothurn Cantonal Government agrees with the Federal Council’s plan to reduce the radio and television license fee from 335 francs to 300 francs per household per year—but insists that any cuts to the SRG must not come at the expense of public service broadcasting in the regions.
The cantonal government supports the Federal Council's approach of easing the burden on private households in times of inflation and an uncertain economic outlook. The plan to completely exempt over 60,000 companies throughout Switzerland from the tax is also supported, the Solothurn State Chancellery announced on Tuesday.
Independent opinion-forming important
However, it is expected that this reduction will not be at the expense of a strong public service within the regions, the consultation also states. The Government Council values SRF's journalistic work, particularly in the region, and considers it "indispensable for the independent formation of opinion and information of the population".
According to the Solothurn government, a reduction in support for licensed private radio and television stations would also be counterproductive, "because they are also important for the basic media offering in the regions of Switzerland".
The Government Council rejects the demand of the popular initiative "200 francs is enough!". Like the Federal Council, it is of the opinion that the initiative is not expedient. "For the SRG, this would have far-reaching consequences for the journalistic offering and the size and structure of the federally organized media company."
