Parliament calls for rules on SRG cooperation because of Admeira

The initiative was triggered by the founding of the advertising marketing company Admeira, a joint venture between SRG, Swisscom and Ringier. This raised fears in parliament that other media - especially regional newspapers - could be weakened as a result.

Several parliamentary initiatives have been submitted in this regard. However, Parliament now does not want to formulate rules itself, but rather instruct the Federal Council to do so. The National Council approved a motion from the Council of States by 120 votes to 68 with 4 abstentions.

According to the Council of States, the Federal Council should issue regulations as part of the planned media law. The National Council, on the other hand, does not want to wait for the new law. It is calling for an amendment to the existing Radio and Television Act (RTVA).

In the service of diversity

This is to be supplemented in such a way that any cooperation between SRG and other media partners contributes to strengthening the diversity of opinions and offerings and ensures freedom from discrimination. The Council of States still has to approve the amended text.

Media Minister Doris Leuthard opposed the proposal. The text has been improved, but still does not make sense, she said. In Leuthard's view, the problem is that no distinction is made between the licensed and non-licensed sectors.

In the non-licensed sector, cooperations could make sense, Leuthard pointed out. However, these would have nothing to do with the diversity of media and offerings. The motion is likely to impair such collaborations, which are rich in economic factors. In the non-licensed sector, however, SRG is a private company. It could invoke economic freedom. (SDA)