SRF ombudswoman Esther Girsberger: "We need to explain journalism better"

In the current ComSumCast of ZPV and ZPRG, Reto Lipp talks to Esther Girsberger - lawyer, journalist, foundation councillor, FDP member and ombudswoman of SRG Deutschschweiz. Hardly anyone embodies so many professional facets. The conversation revolves around her career, her attitude to politics and the media - and the question of how much criticism journalism has to endure today.

Girsberger describes her path from studying law to the media as a logical decision: writing, research and curiosity had a stronger influence on her than legal work. Looking back on her time as editor-in-chief of the Tages-Anzeiger shows how radically journalism has changed since then: more speed, more pressure to make mistakes, less control over the public. "We used to be the hinge - today anyone can publish," she says.

Her current role as ombudswoman is of central importance. Around 1,000 complaints are submitted to the office every year - from trivial complaints to complex cases involving political conflicts or sensitive programs. Girsberger explains how she proceeds, how often cases are without substance and which topics have recently increased the workload considerably. Corona and the Middle East have caused the number of submissions to explode. "We have to mediate - between the audience and the editorial team - and explain how journalism works."

Transparency is more important than ever

The interview also shows how much she values experience and seniority. Many editorial teams today are young, which makes it difficult to classify complex topics. This makes transparency all the more important: editorial offices should show more clearly how research is carried out, how balance is assessed and what criteria apply to difficult topics.

How much do editorial offices listen to the ombudsman's office? Girsberger says openly: SRG accepts its independent mandate - and certainly implements recommendations when errors are clearly proven. Other cases are referred to the Independent Complaints Authority (UBI).

The ComSumCast paints the picture of a clear voice in a polarized media world - a mediator who defends journalistic standards, takes criticism seriously and at the same time demands that media companies explain more openly how they work.

Journalist and host Reto Lipp speaks with trailblazers from the Swiss media and communications industry on ComSumCast.

ComSumCast is available in video and audio versions at ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

as well as in an audio version at ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and on the other major podcast platforms.

Produced by Tablecast / Christoph Soltmannowski / Soltmannowski Kommunikation GmbH.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.solt.ch