Pluralistic, independent, economic: This is how Markus Somm envisions "Säntis

On Saturday, the Switzerland at the weekendEx-BaZ editor-in-chief Markus Somm is currently recruiting investors for a right-wing media project that, in Somm's view, is intended as a counterpart to the otherwise left-leaning Swiss media landscape (Werbewoche.ch reported).

In the talk show "Roger vs. Markus"In the "Säntis" program, in which Somm discusses current topics with Radio 1 boss Roger Schawinski on a weekly basis, the "Säntis" initiator explained his media plans.

No dominant investors

Somm sees a strength in the financing of the project: many investors who are not tied to political parties - in other words, no active politicians. "A lot of people who pay very little - this means that no one will dominate," says Somm. "A medium that can be incredibly independent," predicts the current Tamedia publicist.

It is important to Somm that he himself is also involved as an investor. "If I want to be credible as an entrepreneur, I also have to make a financial contribution." However, he does not yet know how much his own investment will be - that has yet to be determined.

Project to yield dividends

Somm emphasizes that, from the investors' point of view, this is not a "charity event by some politically motivated people". Although they are "also driven by ideals", they clearly see the commitment as an investment that should pay off. "We want to pay a dividend," says the former editor-in-chief of Basler Zeitung.

Editorial size is still in the stars

The lean editorial team announced in the presentation, which is to comprise just eight people, still seems anything but set in stone. "We are rethinking the business plan, the size of the team has not yet been decided," says Somm, waving his hand. "Of course we have to make sure that we have the costs under control at the beginning, but at the same time we also need a few journalists who can make a difference - investors want a medium that is heard."

Pluralistic medium

When it comes to the orientation of the new medium, Somm wants to rely on tried and tested patterns: "The BaZ was a sensible newspaper, clearly right-wing and liberal with many left-wing voices and left-wing journalists." This is exactly how it should be at "Säntis": "I'm making a pluralistic medium, but one in which you can also hear the point of view of the editor-in-chief - who might then be me."

And the name "Säntis"? He thinks it's "awesome", says Somm, but it seems to be nothing more than a working title at the moment. "We'll see. These are all things that are still open, but we're not talking about them."

Photo: SRF