Publishers' association defends itself against monopoly debate
The Swiss Press Association has now also weighed in on the new regional radio and television licenses. It criticizes the fact that, in various statements on this topic, some voices have argued that the licensing process should counteract the monopolies of regional media companies. The Publishers« Association believes this debate »misses the point.”.
The Swiss Press Association has now also commented on the new regional radio and television licenses. It criticizes the fact that in various statements on this topic, there have also been isolated voices saying that the monopolies of regional media companies should be counteracted when awarding licenses. The publishers' association, which has a number of members that operate radio and TV stations, believes that this debate is missing the point. The current licensing process is primarily about the quality of the applications. The previous performance of the broadcasters is also of great importance, according to a communiqué issued on Monday. Since the introduction of private broadcasting, publishers have proven that they have a long-term interest in the continued existence of private broadcasters. They have even kept this type of media alive through their journalistic and financial commitment, the publishers are convinced.
In the eyes of the Swiss Press Association, it is unclear what is meant by the fact that, according to the new RTVA, the enrichment of the diversity of opinion and offerings should be taken into account if several applications are of equal value. However, the parliamentary consultation shows that the comparative assessment of the applications "should not be based on the personality of the broadcaster, but on the diversity of programming", the publishers' association continues. This is in line with the current academic view that diversity of opinion does not primarily depend on the number of providers, but on the content of the programs. In regulated broadcasting, efforts would therefore tend towards so-called internal pluralistic measures such as performance mandates or quality assurance requirements.
The licenses to be granted contain specific performance requirements and corresponding control mechanisms. The publishers are convinced that since requirements are imposed for pluralistic reporting and independent programming, criteria of ownership or media integration of the broadcasters would necessarily take a back seat. Consequently, the focus of licensing is not on the diversity of providers, but on the diversity of content. "The discussion about entrepreneurial interdependencies and alleged monopoly situations of individual applicants therefore misses the mark," the publishers' statement says. With its focus on private broadcasters, this discussion also seems "somewhat absurd" in view of the fact that the Swiss broadcasting landscape is clearly dominated by the SRG with its large number of national and regional channels, the publishers' association concludes its statement.
In the eyes of the Swiss Press Association, it is unclear what is meant by the fact that, according to the new RTVA, the enrichment of the diversity of opinion and offerings should be taken into account if several applications are of equal value. However, the parliamentary consultation shows that the comparative assessment of the applications "should not be based on the personality of the broadcaster, but on the diversity of programming", the publishers' association continues. This is in line with the current academic view that diversity of opinion does not primarily depend on the number of providers, but on the content of the programs. In regulated broadcasting, efforts would therefore tend towards so-called internal pluralistic measures such as performance mandates or quality assurance requirements.
The licenses to be granted contain specific performance requirements and corresponding control mechanisms. The publishers are convinced that since requirements are imposed for pluralistic reporting and independent programming, criteria of ownership or media integration of the broadcasters would necessarily take a back seat. Consequently, the focus of licensing is not on the diversity of providers, but on the diversity of content. "The discussion about entrepreneurial interdependencies and alleged monopoly situations of individual applicants therefore misses the mark," the publishers' statement says. With its focus on private broadcasters, this discussion also seems "somewhat absurd" in view of the fact that the Swiss broadcasting landscape is clearly dominated by the SRG with its large number of national and regional channels, the publishers' association concludes its statement.
