Warning shot to the SRG

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Instead of simply extending the permit for SRG, which expires at the end of 2024, the Federal Council, led by Media Minister Albert Rösti (55), wants to take a closer look at their mandate. Within a year, he wants to have “an overall picture of the future development” of the SRG, he announced on Wednesday.

You recognize the importance of a regionally anchored SRG, the state government wrote. In principle, she is willing to renew the current SRG license. However, the duration of this extension should be determined at a later date.

Keep all options open

Before work can continue on the new SRG license, the Federal Council would like to clarify some fundamental issues. With the suspension, he wanted to “keep several options open for further action,” the company said.

The popular initiative “200 francs is enough (SRG initiative)” must also be included in the overall picture. The initiative launched last year by the SVP, the Swiss Trade Association (SGV) and the fledgling FDP aims to reduce Serafe’s radio and television fees from CHF 335 to CHF 200 per year. In addition to lowering the device-independent tariffs for households, the initiators advocate exempting companies from the tariffs.

The initiators – including Rösti when he was still a member of the National Council – believe that the “compulsory fee” paid by private households and companies in favor of SRG no longer corresponds to media consumption in Switzerland. In addition, SRG penetrates markets that are not directly covered by its concession. It operates radio stations in direct competition with private providers, produces programs outside public broadcasting and is constantly expanding its online offering.

SRG warns of job losses

According to the director general of the Swiss radio and television company (SRG), Gilles Marchand, if the citizens’ initiative were accepted, the area and budget of the SRG would be halved. “Many jobs would also be lost,” Marchand recently said in an interview with the French-language Swiss newspaper “Le Temps”.

Last September, the Federal Council laid down the main features of the new SRG license from 2025. The SRG should therefore focus its online presence more on audio and audiovisual content. In the case of SMS offers, the government demanded that further restrictions be looked into. The Federal Council thus meets the demands of, among others, Swiss private media.

The Federal Council believes that the SRG should continue its mission of service to democracy and cohesion in the country and that its constitutional public service mission should focus more on information, education and culture. In entertainment and sports, SRG programs should focus on areas not covered by other providers.

In the opinion of the Bundesrat, the SRG should continue to save globally. The broadcaster should continue to receive CHF 1.25 billion per year from the fees. To offset the expected further decline in advertising revenues, the SRG must increase efficiency and cut spending, the Fall 2022 statement said.

Also in committee topic

The mission of the SRG is always a topic in politics. The competent committee of the Council of States discussed this a few weeks ago.

The Committee is unanimous in its opinion that SRG should receive less money from the radio and television tax budget in the future. Six to eight percent should therefore benefit regional radio and television stations. This should ensure optimal media diversity, especially in peripheral areas.

The Federal Media Commission (Emek) argues for the continuation of the national government service that SRG provides today. The scope of the performance mandate and the required financing are discussed time and time again, she noted at the beginning of the year. (SDA/brother)

Source:Blick