"Halving the Billag fees would have been the right way to go".

If it were up to her, the fees would have to be halved - plans to this effect by Rickli and fellow campaigner Gregor Rutz for the launch of a "200-franc initiative" in the event of a rejection of No-Billag have become known in recent weeks. (Werbewoche.ch reported). As Rickli says in an interview with Schweiz am Wochenende, she would have been in favor of such a compromise in parliament - but the broad support was lacking. Besides the SVP, only parts of the FDP voted in favor.

"Porn and masturbation posts"

The media politician leaves it open whether she will vote for or against the No Billag initiative - so far, she has deliberately kept a low profile and canceled all invitations for broadcasts, interviews and podiums on this topic.

Rickli is certainly in favor of a fee-financed SRG and public service radio and television: "The SRG should do what there is no market for, i.e. things that the private sector is not willing or able to do. She has problems, for example, with offerings on the Internet and in the entertainment sector. SRG produces content "up to and including porn and masturbation contributions that have nothing to do with public service," she criticizes.

Reduction to 365 francs? "Eyewash!"

Above all, Rickli accuses SRG of a lack of willingness to "save something somewhere": "I hold the old SRG management around Roger de Weck, but also Federal President Doris Leuthard, primarily responsible for this." She knows of SRG employees who complain that the old management was never willing to make concessions - and now they are being sent into the referendum campaign on social media to save what can be saved.

She considers the reduction of fees to 365 francs per year to be "eyewash" and "cheap populism" - the difference will simply be paid by companies in the future, Rickli thinks.

"Goldbach is interested in a functioning TV market".

The National Councilor, who is still on Goldbach's payroll until the end of the year, is convinced that if fees were reduced or abolished, private companies could expand innovatively and thus create new jobs for the laid-off SRG employees.

Rickli also criticizes the private broadcasters who are dependent on the fee pot. She says they have "made themselves comfortable" - she was against fee-splitting at the time in order to prevent such dependencies: They live off the fees and depend on the state instead of focusing on innovations.

Speaking of Goldbach, Natalie Rickli has repeatedly been accused in the past of primarily representing her employer - which, as an advertising marketer of private TV stations, is in direct competition with SRG - with her basic stance critical of SRG. In an interview with Schweiz am Wochenende, she comments on this specifically: "Goldbach has repeatedly spoken out in favor of SRG being allowed to continue advertising to the current extent. Because Goldbach is interested in a functioning TV market." On the other hand, it rejects the "unilateral introduction of target group-specific TV advertising" for SRG via Admeira - and has long offered to cooperate on a market solution. (hae)