Criticism of the inclusion of electronic media in the Radio and TV Act
Published: Sunday, Oct 27th 2024, 10:40
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In the consultation process, the amendment to the Federal Act on Radio and Television (RTVA) met with majority approval. However, there are differences regarding the inclusion of electronic media. In principle, local and regional radio and TV stations should receive more money from the fee pot in future.
Private radio and television stations are to receive 6 to 8 percent of the revenue from the Serafe fee instead of 4 to 6 percent, and this is to be enshrined in the Radio and Television Act. The package also includes support for training and further education institutions for media professionals as well as for news agencies such as Keystone-SDA and self-regulatory organizations such as the Press Council.
The bill, which aims to reinstate uncontroversial support measures from the media package rejected by the people, also calls for support measures for all electronic media. News agencies, for example, are to be supported if they provide "audiovisual content of national importance" that "guarantees an equivalent offering in German, French and Italian".
Criticism of electronic media
The media associations welcome the proposed changes to improve the financial framework conditions for regional radio and TV broadcasters. The increase in the share of the levy will ensure that regional radio and television stations can continue to provide their public service mandate in the future. In other words, even if revenues from the levy fall overall and advertising revenues continue to decline, wrote Telesuisse, the association of Swiss regional television broadcasters.
The indirect funding measures also make sense. These help to relieve the financial burden on regional radio and television broadcasters and improve the quality of their offerings, the report continued.
There is some criticism of the extension of the scope of the RTVA to electronic media. In addition to Telesuisse, the Swiss Media Publishers Association (VSM) and the Swiss Private Radio Association (VSP) also consider the promotion of electronic media to be necessary. The discussion as to whether and to what extent online media should be included in future media funding is important, but should not be conducted at this point.
VSM and VSP note that media research is just as worthy of support as a news agency or the Press Council. Data on media usage is part of the basic infrastructure of a diverse Swiss media landscape. Data from advertising media research would also benefit the entire Swiss media market.
Cantons agree
The cantons of Bern, Zug and Zurich also agree with the proposed amendment to the law and are also in favor of promoting electronic media. There is a particular need for action in the area of education. A high-quality media offering and competent media professionals are important in terms of national policy, writes the government council of the canton of Zurich.
Zurich also acknowledges that most local and regional radio and television stations belong to the CH-Media media group. Consequently, a large media group would be the main beneficiary of the higher fees. However, in view of the important role of local and regional electronic media in ensuring public service, this circumstance takes a back seat.
SVP calls for liberalization
The SP supports the proposals to revise the law. Among other things, state funding of agency services should ensure that small media as well as local and regional media can obtain these at attractive conditions. According to the party, however, the lack of solidarity between private media players such as CH Media and the SRG has caused irritation. This was detrimental to the public media service and the Swiss media landscape in general.
The FDP also supports the revision of the law, but rejects the promotion of electronic media. In addition, the consultation on the halving initiative should be awaited. Any measures in favor of private regional media should be discussed in light of SRG's future mandate.
The SVP is critical of the planned amendment to the law. It rejects such an expansion of state intervention in the media sector. Instead, the party is calling for a liberalization of competition in order to strengthen private media companies and ensure a sustainable media landscape. Instead of higher licence fees or expanded support measures, a broad discussion is needed about the public service and the SRG's mandate.
SRG fears additional burden
SRG is fundamentally positive about the measures to strengthen media diversity and Switzerland as a media center. This is in the public interest and also in the interest of the economy. However, financing these measures at the expense of the SRG's share of fees would lead to an additional financial burden of up to CHF 35 million by 2029.
With the revision of the Radio and TV Ordinance (RTVO) last June, the Federal Council had already decided to reduce the SRG's share of fees by CHF 120 million. According to the SRG, staggering the implementation of measures could cushion the negative financial impact.
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