Study: Journalistic freedom restricted
The increasing pressure on working conditions for journalists in Switzerland is restricting freedom of the press. This is the conclusion reached by a study conducted by the University of Fribourg.
The study concludes that dependence on commercial interests poses a threat to the future of the profession. The study recently published by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) is based on a survey of 1128 journalists from the impressum professional association on working conditions and freedom of expression.
According to the study directors, the results clearly show that the majority of Swiss media professionals perceive an increase in economic pressure in their profession. This is particularly true for daily newspapers in German-speaking Switzerland. The situation is slightly better for journalists in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.
Largely lacking self-criticism
"There is hardly any time left for in-depth research and maintaining networks," the summary of the study states. The result is a decline in journalistic diligence and a more superficial treatment of topics.
Freedom of reporting is also restricted by the so-called media crisis. Overall, reports about advertisers that could be damaging to their image are rarely published.
In addition, there is generally little reporting on media policy issues - and when there is, it is usually influenced by the interests of one's own company. It is customary to report on positive developments at one's own company, but to exclude negative developments.
Repeated call for Gav
For Urs Thalmann, Managing Director of the Impressum journalists' association, the study confirms his observations: "The frequent restructuring in editorial offices leads to great uncertainty and massive pressure," he said. This situation is closely linked to the fact that in German-speaking Switzerland
and Ticino no longer have a collective employment agreement (CEA).
Central Secretary Dominique Diserens adds with a view to French-speaking Switzerland that the CLA in French-speaking Switzerland provides considerable support for working conditions. Both companies and journalists benefit from this. However, the increased economic pressure is also clearly noticeable in editorial offices in French-speaking Switzerland.
Not all bad
Verena Vonarburg, Director of the Swiss Media Association, also does not deny "that journalists have to do more today than in the past". The pressure has increased because the media houses have to make do with significantly lower revenues, she told SDA when asked. However, media professionals in smaller editorial offices can also produce good, critical journalism.
"The OFCOM-sponsored study is unfortunately politically colored and based on a narrow factual basis," Vonarburg continued. She referred to a Federal Council report on the media situation from the end of 2014. It states that Switzerland is one of the countries with the greatest media diversity. (SDA)
