Federal Council does not want to expand discounted newspaper delivery
Published: Wednesday, Sep 4th 2024, 18:10
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The Federal Council does not want to expand the subsidized delivery of newspapers, i.e. indirect press subsidies. This is what it writes in the report on a bill from the National Council. Its responsible committee is proposing a temporary expansion.
The National Council's Committee for Transport and Telecommunications (KVF-N) wants to increase funding for the daily delivery of subscription daily and weekly newspapers by CHF 15 million to CHF 45 million per year for seven years. It also wants to allocate an additional CHF 30 million per year for early delivery.
Amendments to the Postal Act
Contributions from general federal funds for the delivery of the membership and foundation press are to be increased from the current CHF 20 million to CHF 30 million. With these goals in mind, the Commission wants to amend the Postal Services Act.
The reduction in price is intended to ease the financial burden on publishers. This should enable them to invest more money in the digital transformation. The KVF-N believes that the diversity of the press is at risk at local and regional level due to the tight financial situation of many media.
Her proposals take up elements of the media package that was rejected by the people at the ballot box on February 13, 2022. The proposal was initiated by Christine Bulliard-Marbach (center/FR) with a parliamentary initiative.
If Parliament accepts the KVF-N proposal despite its objections, the Federal Council intends to apply to increase indirect funding for regional and local newspapers by CHF 7.5 million to CHF 37.5 million per year for a limited period. It does not want an increase for early delivery.
The Federal Council also insists on the time limit. After seven years, it wants indirect press funding to be reduced to its current level. It also justifies its negative stance with the federal government's tight financial situation.
Second bill in the Council of States
The sister committee of the Council of States (KVF-S) also passed a bill in June. It wants more money for regional radio and TV stations, the Press Council, journalism training and news agencies. Parliament is also expected to decide on this soon.
For its part, the Federal Council is working on a new version of media funding. In a report presented in February, it discussed medium-term funding that is independent of the distribution channel.
The National Council will decide on the bill next.
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