SRF journalists learn to report “politically objective”.

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The Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) gives its journalists extra help with balanced reporting. As the “SonntagsZeitung” writes, SRF now offers an internal course entitled “Objective Political Reporting”.

“We must work every day to report unbiased and politically objective – have no ‘bias’ in our work,” the newspaper quoted from the course announcement. The journalistic committee had the idea for the training. The one-hour webinar will be led by communication scientist Marko Ković (38).

Complaints about unbalanced reporting

This is an exciting choice because Ković himself takes a very clear political stance – preferably via Twitter. The “SonntagsZeitung” points out that he has already called himself a “socialist”. For example, the scientist continues to speak out against SVP National Council member Roger Köppel (58) and his ‘World Week’. But: he also criticizes left-wing activists who blocked the motorway for the Gotthard tunnel at Easter.

SRF denies that the training was held in the context of the complaints against SRF reports. For example, last year the ombudsman criticized an article in the “Rundschau” about the F-35 fighter jet: it distorted opinion formation. The ombudsman expressed the same criticism of a contribution to the radio program Echo der Zeit. In most cases, however, the complaints bodies would come to the conclusion that SRF reports independently, SRF HR manager Gerhard Bayard, who is responsible for the course, emphasizes to the “SonntagsZeitung”.

SRF defends choice of course instructor

“It’s part of our daily lives to self-critically check our offerings for ‘blind spots’,” says Bayard. Hence the training. He defends the election of the course leader. “Marko Ković will not appear as a political opinion leader, but as a linguist who deals intensively with the subject of bias,” he says. “He is very aware of all the prejudices and noises and therefore – as a neutral, analytical linguist – will deliver a fascinating webinar.” (lha)

Source:Blick