More than 1,000 demonstrators marched in Switzerland’s biggest city against the copyright reforms which critics fear threaten freedom of speech, according to the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The copyright directive, which is due for a final vote at the European Parliament next Tuesday, aims to modernize copyright laws so they are fit for the digital era.
In future, platforms such as Youtube will have to check whether uploaded contents contain copyright material.
Critics say this is only possible via costly automated filters, which would amount to censorship, and which smaller platforms cannot be expected to afford. Backers of the reform believe such fears are unfounded.
The Swiss senate is holding off on amending the copyright regime of the Alpine nation until there is a clear outcome from the European Union.
The largest of Saturday’s protest took place in Germany with more than 150,000 people taking to the streets under the slogan “Save your Internet.”
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
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The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
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The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
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In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
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As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
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After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
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A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
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The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
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Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
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Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
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Switzerland faces stark choice on EU integration deal
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The Swiss government on Friday faces a stark choice on future relations with the EU that is likely to resonate far beyond its borders.
EU parliament approves contentious online copyright reform
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The decision was heavily lobbied both by publishers and free speech advocates. Switzerland is not yet directly implicated.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.