UBI: "Rundschau" report was not one-sided

In the eyes of the UBI, the SRF broadcast did not violate the requirement of factual fairness laid down in the Radio and Television Act. Nor did it violate the increased duty of care that must be fulfilled in the run-up to votes. The report was broadcast about a month before the referendum on the Gripen procurement. Among other things, it raised the question of whether the procurement of new fighter jets was necessary in view of the threat situation. A German political scientist and security advisor also had his say, describing the Gripen procurement as unnecessary. The Swiss fleet was also compared with that of Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary. A recorded conversation with Defense Minister Ueli Maurer was then broadcast, in which he voiced harsh criticism of the report. It was "tendentious". It was precisely this criticism that was taken up in a popular complaint received by the UBI. In addition to the "lack of objectivity", the complainants also criticized the "disrespectful way in which "Rundschau" presenter Sandro Brotz conducted the interview".

Criticism of expert selection

In assessing the handling, the nine members of the UBI were unanimous: the moderator had shown the necessary respect to the Federal Council. However, two UBI members felt that the increased duty of care in the run-up to votes had been violated. In particular, the choice of the German political scientist was criticized. It was true that his connection to the SP had been made transparent. As a civilian expert, however, he enjoyed greater credibility than the military experts who had their say. The audience automatically counted the latter as Gripen supporters, while the political scientist was "above the fray. The UBI also voiced criticism about the choice of comparator countries. Finally, the commission rejected the complaint by 7 votes to 2. The public had been able to form its own opinion. And: Federal Councillor Maurer had been given sufficient opportunity to respond to the criticism of the Gripen procurement raised in the article. UBI President Roger Blum also pointed out that Maurer in particular had urged the media to deal unsparingly with the authorities. This was exemplified by the "Rundschau" report.

Over 100 complaints

The "Rundschau" broadcast on April 16 also had the SRG ombudsman's office kept on the go. The ombudsman Achille Casanova received over 100 complaints. However, Casanova rejected these all off. It is true that the report "did not meet the high standards of balance required in the run-up to a referendum". However, the one-sidedness of the contribution was "largely cured" by the subsequent discussion with Maurer. (SDA)