From state radio to the state: SRF man becomes spokesperson for the Federal Council

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The new SP councilor Beat Jans (59) has appointed his media boss: radioman Oliver Washington (51). Since 2003, he has worked in various positions at Radio SRF, including as editor of the Bundeshaus and team leader of the “Samstagsrundschau”. Between 2014 and 2019, Washington was a correspondent for Radio SRF in Brussels.

Washington is moving to a central position: the most important spokespersons are at the same time mouthpieces, bouncers and advisors to the Federal Council. They channel media questions, decide on language rules and, if possible, influence the boss’s public image.

Civil love for the SRF

With Washington, it’s another SRF guy switching sides and going to state. So far, despite the alleged left-wing bias of the SRG broadcasters, it has mainly been the civilian Federal Councilors who have relied on the skills of the state broadcasters’ employees.

Former SRF journalist Franziska Ingold is head of communications for Media Minister Albert Rösti (56, SVP). Former SRF man Michael Steiner heads the media team of Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (62, FDP). Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin (64, SVP) leaves his communications to former ‘Arena’ moderator Urs Wiedmer.

Less so with Maurer

And until a year ago, federal councilor Karin Keller-Sutter (60, FDP) also employed an SRF man in the form of the former boss of the TV Bundeshaus, Christoph Nufer. And even Ueli Maurer (73, SVP), as a federal councilor, relied on the abilities of former SRF sports journalist Peter Minder. (sf)

Source:Blick