Reactions to the SRG savings hammer "Rösti is roasting journalism"

The Federal Council wants to reduce the Serafe fees to CHF 300 per year from 2029. This triggers different reactions: for the left, the SRG has to save too much, for some members of the middle classes too little.

SRG will have to save around CHF 150 million per year from 2029. This was announced by Media Minister Albert Rösti on Wednesday. The Federal Council wants to reduce the Serafe fees for private individuals by CHF 35 per year to CHF 300 in the coming years. In addition, around 80 percent of companies are to be exempt from radio and television fees.

Broad sections of parliament are disappointed with the measures - but for different reasons. While the left fears that the SRG will be weakened, some members of the centre-right are calling for the SRG to make even more savings.

The reduction by decree and the disregard for the majority of negative consultation responses are particularly offensive to the conservatives. The SVP, FDP and trade association had already called for a further reduction in fees in advance.

Answers to the Serafe hammerHow much do I pay? And what can I still watch on SRF in future?

Federal Councillor Albert Rösti's proposal is not enough, says FDP National Councillor Christian Wasserfallen to SRF: "We have to completely relieve the burden on companies. The fee for private households must fall well below CHF 300. And there will certainly be one or two proposals in parliament."

Cutting 900 jobs

The center is divided: Martin Candinas, a centrist member of the National Council, says that even more savings are certainly not possible. Party President Gerhard Pfister, on the other hand, is strongly in favor of a counter-proposal and harsher cuts at the SRG.

The SRG itself welcomes the Federal Council's clear stance against the initiative "200 francs is enough" (halving initiative) from the SVP, Jungfreisinn and the trade association, it writes in a press release. It has taken note of the reduction in fees.

The SRG had already pointed out the consequences during the consultation process: A reduction in revenue of CHF 240 million, 900 job cuts, cuts in sports coverage of major events, less support for Swiss films and series, fewer broadcasts of cultural events.

Against democratic customs

The Greens were also concerned about the consequences of the fee reduction for the SRG. The concession to the SVP and the initiators of the halving initiative was wrong. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti was once again undermining Parliament by amending the ordinance - as he had done with the wolf cull.

The reduction contradicts the current SRG concession, the responses to the consultation process and the resolutions of the responsible parliamentary committees, writes the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB). By amending the ordinance, the national government is creating facts even before the initiative has been discussed. Last but not least, this is contrary to democratic practices.

"Rösti roasts journalism" is the title of Operation Libero's reaction. Attacking the media and the public media service is part of the populists' little ABC. The hope that the halving initiative will be stopped in its tracks is misguided. SRG would no longer be able to fulfill its service mandate with the cuts from 2027.

The Swiss Syndicate of Media Professionals (SSM) was shocked. The national government is pushing through the controversial partial revision despite immense criticism, writes the media union. Without consideration for the commissions, without necessity, without parliament and without a referendum, the Federal Council is depriving the public service of millions. The Syndicom trade union echoes this sentiment.

With material from the Keystone-SDA news agency