Is public funding of private media unnecessary or necessary? Next Sunday, the Swiss electorate will have to rule in a referendum on a package of measures in favor of the media, voted on by parliament and challenged by a referendum committee. According to the latest polls, the outcome of the vote is uncertain with in favor and against practically equal: 49% of “no” and 46% of “yes”.
The package of 150 million francs (around 142 million euros) provides for an extension of the federal contribution to cover part of the costs arising from the transport of newspapers and associative press publications, support for online media and contributions to broadcasters radio and television stations operating at regional and local level. The government, sided in favor of the law, points out that more than 70 newspapers have disappeared since 2003 and that the Confederation is already making the home distribution of subscription newspapers cheaper by assuming part of the transport costs. With the new law, we want to extend this facility also to newspapers with a large circulation. As in many other countries, also in Switzerland, the media sector is suffering from a decline in subscriptions and advertising revenues that migrate to large Internet platforms.
For the government and supporters of the new law, aid to the media would strengthen democracy by promoting independent regional journalism. While those against it believe that it is not the task of the state to help the press: subsidized media become “state media”, while democracy needs independent media. Opponents also regret that financial aid would also be given to the wealthiest publishers.
Also on Sunday 13 February, the Swiss will vote on the introduction of an absolute ban on experiments on animals and humans, the abolition of the stamp duty and the ban on tobacco advertising.
Source: Ansa
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