The Federal Office of Health (BAG) communications during the pandemic have repeatedly caused criticism. There was confusion about numbers and other information glitches.
BAG director Anne Lévy acted – and got help from ex-SRF moderator Patrick Rohr (54), as reported by the CH Media newspapers. Among other things, Rohr moderated the political discussion program “Arena” and has been working as a communications consultant for 15 years. He is said to have advised Lévy via Skype and personally on the spot – and still advises him.
The suspicion of nepotism arises. Because Rohr’s life partner Simon Ming (34) has been working for some time in the communications department of the BAG and regularly appears in the media as a spokesperson for the Bundesamt.
Communication must become more understandable
The BAG confirms both circumstances to “CH Media”. However, any suspicion of nepotism is unfounded: Ming’s appointment and Rohr’s mandate are unrelated. Ming applied for a temporary position in Covid-19 communications and went through the same hiring process as everyone else.
Spokeswoman Katrin Holenstein said of Rohr’s consulting work that the BAG provides advice to those employees who would appear before the media and the public. Special attention is paid to the comprehensibility of the statements.
Rohr receives an hourly rate that is absolutely common in the industry. The exact amount is covered by his trade secret. The costs of the advice are, depending on the wishes, between CHF 3,000 and CHF 15,000 per year. Besides Rohr, the BAG also works with two other people.
300 francs per hour
Rohr himself announced his fee to “CH Media”: 300 francs per hour for advice, 250 francs per hour for preparation. As for the arrangement with his partner, he sees no problem.
It would be rather strange for him if Ming, as an independent person, were not allowed to apply for a job with a potential employer where he had a small advisory mandate. As long as there are no “interface problems”. He would judge the situation differently if Ming had to give him orders. That would be difficult, and neither would find it correct in their ethical understanding, Rohr says. (Tom)