SVP rebuffed with complaints against "Club
The Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) program «Club,» which focused on refugees, was not one-sided. This is the conclusion reached by SRG Ombudsman Achille Casanova. He has thus rebuffed Zurich SVP National Council members Natalie Rickli and Gregor Rutz.
Rickli and Rutz missed a critical voice in the discussion round on the topic of "refugees" on August 4. No one had been able to participate in the discussion who was critical of the federal government's asylum policy. In addition, the position of bourgeois politicians was repeatedly qualified as negative and reprehensible. The viewers had received the impression that bourgeois politicians were merely campaigning under the heading of "asylum policy," while left-wing forces were working in a solution-oriented manner. With their criticism, they approached SRG ombudsman Achille Casanova. However, he does not share the view of Rickli and Rutz, as can be seen from the statement published on Tuesday.
Ombudsman: No election broadcast
The selection of the guests and the chosen point of view were permissible editorial decisions that were within journalistic freedom. The audience was certainly able to form its own opinion in this program. Moreover, the diversity requirement does not apply to individual programs, but to the entire program. In the case of election broadcasts, stricter standards would be applied, and both sides would have to be shown in individual broadcasts and contributions. However, since the "Club" in question was broadcast two and a half months before the parliamentary elections, the program could not be considered an election program. (SDA)
