Media union rejects deletion of Swissinfo contribution
Published: Friday, Sep 20th 2024, 15:10
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The media trade union Schweizer Syndikat Medienschaffender (SSM) has expressed its shock at the Federal Council's plans regarding SRG's international offering. Waiving the federal contribution of almost CHF 19 million would effectively mean the end of the ten-language platform Swissinfo.ch.
In addition to Swissinfo, SRG's international activities also include the Italian-language website tvsvizzera.it and cooperation with the television channels TV5 Monde and 3sat. It is financed half by the federal government and half by SRG.
According to the SSM, 100 permanent employees and more than a hundred freelancers will be laid off as a result of the cut in funding for Swissinfo. This would mean another serious blow for Switzerland as a media center and a further loss of media diversity. The SSM will therefore express its opposition in the upcoming consultation process.
Swissinfo is an important link to their home country for the Swiss abroad, the union pointed out. In addition, the SRG's mandate abroad contributes significantly to strengthening Switzerland's international reputation.
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