Developed societies around the world are characterized by diversity of opinion and free access to high-quality information. The No Billag initiative in Switzerland puts both at risk. Alliance Sud, the think and do tank of Swiss development organizations, therefore recommends rejecting the referendum.
A press release from Alliance Sud
The No Billag initiative undermines the principles that Switzerland’s development organizations advocate: Equal opportunities, solidarity, free democratic decision-making and the fight against overpowering interests of political and economic elites. The initiative discriminates against linguistic minorities and focuses on the commercialization of information, education and cultural offerings. It calls into question the principles and values that are an essential foundation of development cooperation.
Tearing a gap in international reporting
Television and radio reports on the living conditions of people in developing countries are rare these days. Due to the high production costs, they are mainly to be found on channels financed by license fees. If this reporting also sheds light on development cooperation, it is designed critically according to journalistic criteria. For citizens who want to get an idea of Swiss development cooperation, SRG SSR, as well as fee-financed private channels, are indispensable sources of information. The radical ban on any financing of electronic media services through fees, as demanded by the No Billag initiative, would tear serious gaps in the international reporting of the Swiss media system without necessity.
Initiative endangers Swiss Solidarity
The No Billag initiative also endangers Swiss Solidarity, which responds to humanitarian crises at home and abroad with national collection days. Swiss Solidarity enjoys great support among the Swiss population because it not only accepts donations, it also evaluates projects and checks with experts on the ground whether money collected in Switzerland is being used efficiently.
Threat to pluralism, tolerance and democratic participation
The No Billag initiative contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UN Covenant I). These stipulate that the member states have a positive obligation to guarantee diversity in the audiovisual media sector (ECHR) and must lay a foundation for pluralism, tolerance and lively democratic participation through the promotion of culture (UN Covenant I). While the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) advocate effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, Switzerland would be taking precisely the opposite path if the No Billag initiative were adopted.
One-sided reporting on development impacts
Last but not least, the No Billag initiative would impair reporting on the development impacts of Swiss trade, climate or financial center policies. Alliance Sud also takes a critical view of SRG SSR’s current services in this area. However, reporting financed solely by the market would most likely be significantly more one-sided and unsatisfactory.
For all these reasons, Alliance Sud recommends that voters vote NO to the No Billag initiative on March 4.
Queries and further information:
Mark Herkenrath, Managing Director Alliance Sud
mark.herkenrath@alliancesud.ch
Phone: 078 699 58 66
