"SRG can be proud of its programs".
The political debate about the future of SRG must not have a negative impact on the quality of programming, according to SRG Director-General-designate Gilles Marchand. SRG can be proud of its offering, he says.
In the current, very agitated political context, radio and TV makers should not lose sight of the programs, Marchand said on Thursday in Lausanne at his last media conference as director of Radio and Television of Western Switzerland (RTS). Marchand will become SRG's new director general on October 1, 2017, succeeding Roger de Weck.
Asked about the political disputes over the future of SRG, Marchand said he judged the situation to be "schizophrenic". Certain circles are fighting public radio and television, he said, while RTS is showing solid to good results for last year and audiences are demonstrating their satisfaction and loyalty to the individual stations. Should SRG's mandate change, "we are professionals and we will adapt," Marchand continued. The task of SRG's general management, he said, is to "unflinchingly" explain the public interest in high-quality programming.
SRG will be a topic in both chambers of parliament during the current spring session. The National Council will deal with the Federal Council's public service report, the Council of States with the initiative "Yes to the abolition of radio and television fees", the so-called No Billag initiative.
