“Without media, no democracy.” Under this slogan, the citizens’ committee “Yes to media diversity” is committed to the media aid package put to the vote on February 13. Representatives of the media and personalities from culture and sport are part of it.
“Independent media are essential for the survival of our direct democracy,” Camille Roseau, president of the committee, told the press in Bern on Wednesday. However, Switzerland is experiencing a media crisis.
These have lost in recent years revenue from subscriptions and to international technology companies, she said. And to fear a “death of newspapers” in almost all regions of the country, but especially in French-speaking Switzerland. More than 70 titles have disappeared since 2003, she detailed.
Adopted in June by Parliament, the package, which provides for an increase in aid of 151 million francs per year, is “fair”, according to the committee. The little ones will be more supported than the big ones. The money will go especially where media diversity and democracy need a boost, the committee argued.
“We need a local press to explain the issues, not only federal votes, but also in the cantons and municipalities”, justified Chantal Ratee, former editor-in-chief of Hebdo.
The package, limited in time, will allow editorial staff to “breathe”, she continued. And to add that it would also be of help to readers, to guarantee them access to information.
Take over
The package would also ensure media quality by securing editorial posts, according to the committee. The training of the next generation would also be supported.
“Internship or training places are victims of savings and restructuring measures,” lamented Pascal Scheiber, co-president of the German-speaking association Young Journalists Switzerland. The media package would thus ensure the future of editorial staff and fight once morest media concentration, according to him.
The aid would also benefit press photographers and the Keystone-ATS agency, the committee said.
Culture and sport
Culture also suffers from media concentration with less coverage, argued Ulrich E. Gut, president of the CH-Intercultur association. Actors in the cultural world not only need the public to have access to their works, but also critical echo to continue to develop, according to him.
The same goes for representatives of sport. “More marginal sports, regional events, junior competitions, amateur sport and disabled sports pay the price,” said Andreas Mösli, member of the management of FC Winterthur, quoted in a statement from the committee.
Earlier on Wednesday, the referendum committee opposed to the package also held its press conference. According to him, the media package is “unnecessary” and “harmful to democracy”. Pointing to the large publishing groups which reaped profits in times of crisis, he felt that the market works and does not need subsidies.
This article was published automatically. Source: ats
