Last Friday, November 1st, Susan Wille spoke by videoconference to SSR staff. She announced her priorities and then spoke with colleagues from the different regions.
A priority of the Director General is the launch of a national transformation process entitled “Enavant SRG SSR“. Taken from Romansh, “enavant” means “forward”, “on the way”. This process of strategic and organizational development arises from several factors. It is the duty of the SRG to orientate itself carefully and far-sightedly on its new financial framework – with, as a planning factor, the gradual reduction of the amount of the media license in accordance with the adaptation of the ordinance of the Federal Council , the sharp decline in advertising revenue and the increase in prices. The SSR expects to have to save around 270 million francs by 2029, which represents a reduction in its budget of around 17%. This is without taking into account the evolution of media consumption habits and international competition, which make a process of adaptation for the company essential.
The transformation is based on several questions
With what supply strategy will the SSR focus on the needs of tomorrow’s public service? How can we continue to offer added value to the public? What processes and structures will the SRG need in the future? How to design collaboration within business units? What technology to use? But also: how to achieve this transformation within the allotted time frame? Susanne Wille underlined this: the SRG must act quickly. This is why, as general director, on the basis of the analysis carried out since her appointment and in agreement with the Board of Directors and the Management Committee, she is launching the strategic process without delay. Susanne Wille also indicated that the SSR will communicate in complete transparency as soon as the key parameters are clarified – first to employees, then to the public.
An SSR at the service of society
The new director general’s other priorities are the program as well as dialogue with the public and with politicians. Susanne Wille wants to get involved in the political process launched around the “200 francs is enough!” initiative. and, in this context, show the added value of SSR for society. And to underline: “I defend an SSR resolutely turned towards the future, agile, but also reliable”. She is committed to an SSR that offers quality and to a media company that belongs to everyone.
Decryption:
How did we end up having to save CHF 270 million? This figure is the result of three factors: the decision of the Federal Councilor in charge of DETEC to reduce the fee to CHF 300.- (instead of the current CHF 335), the drop in advertising revenue and the non-increase of inflation. . Barring a counter-proposal from Parliament that is more hostile to SSR, a collapse of the advertising market or a resumption of inflation, public broadcasting is set to lose 17% of these revenues. This represents the largest cut of all European public services. This well before the initiative for a fee of CHF 200.- Will punishing the SSR save the private sector? Albert Rösti seemed to believe it at the last French-speaking Media Forum…
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