Online media play an increasingly important role in a digitalised world, beside traditional radio and television or print sources, Communications Minister Doris Leuthard told a news conference on Thursday.
Under the proposals, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), the parent company of swissinfo.ch, would continue to be a key provider of news, culture, education, sports and entertainment in all four national languages – German, French, Italian and Romansh.
It would continue to be funded mainly by a public licence fee.
The government also suggests creating an independent panel of experts to advise on electronic media, replacing the current system of joint responsibility between the national government and federal bodies.
Leuthard said the new panel was in response to criticism of the SBC’s perceived official status.
The content created by swissinfo.ch will be reviewed in light of possible closer cooperation with other public providers.
Public-private links
The government also wants to boost cooperation between the public broadcaster and private media, according to the proposals.
Political parties, the 26 cantons, as well as organisations and institutions have until mid-October to voice their opinions before the government prepares a bill to present to parliament.
In a first reaction, the main political parties were divided, while both private media outlets and trade unions expressed concerns about certain aspects of the draft bill.
Over the past three years, voters had the final say on two separate proposals concerning the funding system of the SBC and the broadcasting licence fee.
The SBC, with its more than 20 radio and television channels as well as online offers, has pledged to cut CHF100 million ($100.4 million) from its budget from next year. Its annual turnover is about CHF1.6 billion.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
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.
Read more
More
Public broadcaster deemed key for Swiss cohesion
This content was published on
Concern about the cohesion of Switzerland was the main reason for voters rejecting a proposal to do away with the public broadcasting licence fees.
Attack on public broadcasting licence fee clearly fails
This content was published on
A large majority of voters reject a proposal to do away with the mandatory licence fee for Switzerland’s public broadcasters.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.