Publishers call for serious political discussion
In a statement, the Swiss Media Association (VSM) welcomes the findings of both the Uvek and Bakom that the advertising market joint venture project goes beyond the current legal framework.
The planned advertising market joint venture would deprive private publishers of advertising funds, thus damaging the public service they provide and reducing diversity of opinion, the association said. The approval of the Uvek as well as the Bakom for the participation of SRG in the advertising market joint venture is therefore "incomprehensible" in the view of the VSM.
The VSM states that a serious political discussion is now needed. It must be taken into account that the SRG's revenues have been growing for years, while the advertising revenues of the private media have been declining. An adjustment of the concession was therefore not the right way and would lead to a patchwork. What is needed, he said, is a serious political discussion in parliament and a legal adjustment in the Radio and TV Act (RTVG) that does justice to the structural change in the media landscape.
The Swiss Media Association wants to play an active role in shaping the future of the Swiss media landscape and is prepared to engage in discussions as before. It maintains that the private Swiss media must be included in this discussion as provided for by the Federal Constitution.
