Guest of the Swiss Media Forum in Lucerne, Federal Councilor Albert Rösti expressed concern about the difficult economic situation of the media. He assured that the government was working to create good framework conditions, knowing that there are no miracle solutions.
ATS
The minister in charge of the media cited the drop of more than 20% in the number of titles in the country since 2009, the halving of circulations over the last fifteen years and the billions of francs in advertising revenue siphoned off by the giants of the media. internet like Google or Facebook. At the same time, more and more people are moving away from traditional media.
Albert Rösti recalled the Federal Council’s plan to issue rules for large platforms, in order to create more transparency and protect user rights. The government is also examining the need for rules on artificial intelligence (AI), specifically for the media sector.
He also noted the ongoing initiatives at Parliament level aimed at strengthening support for the media. In particular, he expressed his support for the instrument of indirect aid, i.e. the contributions granted by the Confederation to reduce the bill for newspaper distribution.
“Risk of implosion”
The minister was reacting to the comments of the president of TX Group on Thursday at the Swiss Media Forum. Pietro Supino said that without an increase in this aid, the print media landscape could “implode” in the coming years.
Albert Rösti admitted that this aid will remain important in the coming years, while newspapers complete their digital transformation. However, it will be up to Parliament to decide on a possible increase in this windfall, according to the federal councilor, who made no secret of the fact that the government was reserved on this point.
The federal councilor also expressed his “full support” for the introduction of a neighboring right in Switzerland. This standard, comparable to copyright, would allow publishers to claim compensation from internet giants for the use of their content. The case, led by the Federal Department of Justice led by Beat Jans, is “difficult”, commented Mr. Rösti, however deeming it necessary to put the platforms through the checkout.
Among the planned measures, Albert Rösti also mentioned increased support for the Keystone-ATS press agency, which currently receives an annual subsidy of 4 million francs from the Confederation.
“Really dangerous initiative”
Albert Rösti also addressed the “200 francs is enough” initiative, launched by the UDC, the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts (usam) and the Jeunes PLR. This text follows the “No Billag” initiative, swept aside by the people in 2018. On the proposal of Albert Rösti, the Federal Council wants to increase the radio-TV license fee from 335 francs per year per household currently to 300 francs from 2029.
Albert Rösti insisted on the fact that the objective of the Federal Council is to avoid acceptance of the initiative, a text described as “really dangerous” by the UDC minister: the latter had joined the initiative committee when he was a national advisor. The project would lead to a restructuring of the SSR, which would have to renounce the current decentralization in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, according to the government.
The government’s idea was not unanimously accepted during the consultation procedure. The Federal Council will make a decision before the summer holidays. The initiative will reach Parliament in the second half of the year, said the head of the Federal Department of Communications (DETEC).
“Production machines”
Albert Rösti stressed that the Federal Council wanted to limit itself to creating good framework conditions for the media. “Publishers and journalists will remain solely responsible for the content. Independence remains and will remain an inviolable good,” affirmed the federal councilor.
In this context, Albert Rösti expressed his concern for journalistic practice in Switzerland, which according to him suffers from the difficult economic context. “The journalist tends to become a production machine,” said the federal councilor. He must carry out a multiplicity of tasks, writing texts but also taking photos, videos, posting content on social networks or even producing a podcast.
The coverage thus becomes superficial. “Sometimes I wonder if all these channels are necessary, and if fewer would not be better,” said the federal councilor, calling for attention to the basic virtues of journalism. “A Switzerland without strong media is unimaginable for me. The media are essential for democracy,” insisted Mr. Rösti.
fb, ats
