Study links shrinking local media landscape and lower voter turnout
According to the Quality of the Media yearbook the number of regional newspapers in Switzerland fell from 36 to 28 between 2001 and 2016.
Keystone
There is a direct connection between the steady disappearance of local newspapers in Switzerland and lower participation in communal votes, according to a study released on Tuesday.
This is the conclusion of Daniel KüblerExternal link, a political scientist at Zurich University, who has analysed data from six urban regions – Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne and Lugano – or a total of 408 municipalities.
He found that in areas with larger circulations of local newspapers, turnout in communal votes was greater.
Participation in municipal and city council elections has been falling steadily in Switzerland for decades. In canton Zurich, for example, in the 1970s turnout at municipal elections was around 70%. It stood at 37% in 2014.
At the same time, communities have been struggling with the crisis of local journalism. Local newspapers have come under pressure, partly because of free newspapers and new online media. The number of independent regional and local newspapers has been steadily decreasing, while larger press groups have been consolidating. According to the Quality of the Media yearbook,External link the number of regional newspapers in Switzerland fell from 36 to 28 between 2001 and 2016.
The mergers of local newspapers have resulted in press groups talking less about regional issues and proposing fewer articles on local news, said Kübler.
The hope that local online news would step in to replace local newspapers that are being phased out has not occurred, he added.
“No one has found the solution to earn money with local online news,” he declared.
To defend democratic values, Kübler believes non-commercial players, such as foundations, political parties and local authorities should step in with new local media offers.
Related Stories
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
United States’ ‘second lady’ observes Swiss training system
Lindt & Sprüngli reportedly considering shifting Easter bunny production to US
This content was published on
Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli could relocate the production of its gold-wrapped Easter bunnies to the US in order to circumvent the import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Swiss petition launched against curbing 30km/h speed limit
This content was published on
The Traffic Club of Switzerland (TCS) has submitted a petition to the Federal Chancellery, challenging the 30km/h speed limit on local roads.
Swiss government backs abolishing imputed rental value
This content was published on
The abolition of the imputed rental value in federal tax is intended to reduce incentives for high private debt and simplify the tax system. On Friday, Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter spoke on behalf of the Federal Council in favour of Parliament's proposal.
This content was published on
After a strong start to the year, the Swiss economy has slowed considerably. In the second quarter, gross domestic product (GDP) rose by just 0.1 per cent on an adjusted basis compared to the previous quarter.
This content was published on
The Ticino cantonal criminal court in Lugano has found a priest guilty of multiple sexual assault and sexual offences with minors. The man was sentenced to a conditional 18-month prison term.
Swiss disappointed by failed plastics agreement in Geneva
This content was published on
Switzerland will not get its Geneva agreement against plastic pollution. Chief negotiator Felix Wertli spoke on Friday morning of his delegation's disappointment.
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
Switzerland’s largest media group strengthens dominant position
This content was published on
Switzerland’s largest media group, Zurich-based Tamedia, has struck a deal with one of the country’s most controversial politicians, Christoph Blocher.
This content was published on
Tamedia, Switzerland’s biggest private media company, says its 14 different newspapers will soon be produced by two editorial offices.
Government minister calls for media quality and diversity
This content was published on
In a wide-ranging interviewExternal link on Monday with the Watson news platform and several regional newspapers, Leuthard said a dominant role for a single player in the media sector was not desirable. “It must be the goal to secure diversity and quality in the media for democratic reasons,” she said. Leuthard also expressed concern about…
This content was published on
The staff at the Swiss News Agency (SDA-ATS), the main source of news for many Swiss media, have launched a warning strike over job cuts.
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.