Annual Conference Swiss Media

By maintaining the ban on online advertising, the existing balance in the Swiss media landscape between the private media providers and the SRG, which is financed by fees, will be largely maintained, said the President of Schweizer Medien, commenting on the Federal Council's decision. Filippo Leutenegger was newly elected to the presidency. The Executive Committee and members expressed their thanks to Filippo Lombardi, who is stepping down, for his great commitment to the publishers' association. He will remain a member of the association.

The Association's management was also in a solid financial position. A profit of CHF 11,316.36 was reported for the 2011 accounts (including financial income and after deduction of provisions for ongoing projects in 2012). The lower income compared to the previous year reflects the situation in the print media, as membership fees are based on circulation figures and these have also decreased in the current financial year, according to a statement from the association. In terms of ongoing media policy business, the revision of the Postal Services Act Ordinance is currently the main focus. Another important item on the association's agenda is the revision of VAT. According to the association, there is a risk that this will result in an additional burden for media users due to a higher tax rate.

Establishment of a media commission

Publishers have expressed their support for the establishment of a media commission with equal representation and assume that it will also oversee the revision of the radio and television license. Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard's vote that the SRG may not publish an online newspaper, but should be freer with regard to audio-visual contributions on the net, demonstrates the Federal Council's desire to maintain a functioning media landscape from the publishers' point of view. According to the association, the parliamentary initiative to safeguard the state and democratic function of the media must also be accompanied by the new media commission to be set up. The scientific studies, far removed from the reality in the media houses, could not be the basis for this; rather, an all-round view of all the circles involved was needed.

Code of the Press Council should be a guideline for the media

In the face of increasingly fierce competition, the Swiss media should not throw factual reporting overboard. According to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, indiscretions and misinformation are poisoning the climate and making objective debate more difficult, as SDA wrote on Thursday. Journalists have a great responsibility, said Widmer-Schlumpf on Thursday at the annual congress of the Swiss Media Association in Lausanne. Many media professionals are aware of this responsibility, but it is not always and everywhere taken seriously. If incorrect information is provided, there is even a risk of wrong decisions being made.

According to SDA, the President of the Swiss Confederation appealed to media professionals to consistently apply the Swiss Press Council's code of conduct, which was created by the industry itself, in their everyday work. Among other things, it states that rumors must be checked for their truthfulness. Media professionals should also not withhold important information.