The media Swiss press freedom suffers under economic pressure
Freedom of the press in Switzerland is "satisfactory" in 2025. This puts it in 9th place in the international ranking of Reporters Without Borders. There are deficits due to the economic pressure and the "muzzle article" on bank data.
02.05.2025, 06:00
SDA
This article remains an unresolved problem, as the organization announced on Friday in its annual ranking on International Press Freedom Day on Saturday. It is contained in the Banking Act and threatens journalists with up to three years in prison if they report on leaked or stolen bank data.
In addition to the extensive cost-cutting plans of many editorial offices, Reporters Without Borders considers the continued lack of a bill to regulate large online platforms such as X to be problematic. The Federal Council postponed the corresponding decision again in mid-April - without giving any reasons.
Behind closed doors, it was said that the move had to do with the customs dispute with the USA. They did not want to upset the US government, which is against online regulations. Switzerland moved up to 9th place in 2024 and thus into the top ten because the situation had deteriorated in three countries that were previously further ahead.
Worldwide and in 160 out of 190 countries, 90 percent of media can no longer achieve long-term financial stability. One third of the countries have seen closures. This has been significant in the past two years in the USA, where some states have become news deserts.
The top group with good press freedom is getting smaller and smaller and is now limited to Norway, Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Ireland. The worst countries in terms of press freedom are China, North Korea and Eritrea.
