contents
In connection with the information leaks in the Corona crisis, SP Vice President Jacqueline Badran has hinted at a possible campaign against Health Minister Alain Berset. For the first time, the SP leadership has commented on the allegations against their Federal Council in the “Arena”.
“It is suggested here that Alain Berset systematically leaked information and that he knew about it,” said SP Vice President Jacqueline Badran in the “Arena” on Friday evening. This is a “hodgepodge of insinuations”.
Politicians and the media should refrain from prejudice, Badran continued. A violation of official secrecy is serious, must be investigated and, if necessary, punished. However, it is by no means clear whether this actually exists.
With Jacqueline Badran, a member of the SP party leadership commented for the first time on the indiscretions that CH Media had made public. These show that the former communications chief of SP Federal Councilor Alain Berset is said to have systematically passed on confidential information to Ringier CEO Marc Walder during the corona pandemic. We’re talking about 180 emails.
Jacqueline Badran contradicted this representation in the “Arena”. So far there have only been two relevant emails. There can be no question of a systematic disclosure of confidential information. Badran suggested that this could be a campaign against Berset and the SP.
Unlike Badran, Markus Somm, editor-in-chief of “Nebelspalter”, classified the matter: “It is scandalous how systematically and regularly information was exchanged.” It is a serious case of large proportions. With the premature publication of information, “Blick” put pressure on the Federal Council and thus anticipated decisions.
“If Berset knew about it, he has to go. Federal councilors had to resign because of less serious allegations.” Somm was alluding to the resignation of former Federal Councilor Elisabeth Kopp, who resigned in 1988 because of an alleged breach of official secrecy, but was later acquitted by the Federal Court.
In 99 percent of the cases, investigative journalism is based on dossiers that an unfaithful soul has placed in the hands of the journalist.
The power of the “look” should not be overestimated, replied Peter Rothenbühler, former editor-in-chief of “Sonntagsblick”. It is impossible for the media to influence the Bundesrat in this way. In addition, it is nothing but normal for newspapers to be leaked confidential information. “Investigative journalism is based in 99 percent of cases on dossiers that an unfaithful soul has placed in the hands of the journalist.” It is then the task of the journalists to find out whether the information supplied is correct.
What role does the media play?
“Indiscretions are not only part of our information system, they are also wanted by the system,” explained Andrea Masüger, President of the Publishers’ Association of Swiss Media. There have been many cases in the past that only came to light through indiscretions. If confidential information is published, then that is a problem for politicians, but not for the media. “If media professionals receive information that is correct, then it is normal in a free, open society to publish it.”
An official secret must be protected by the judiciary, the media and the political authorities.
“The media can use the Public Information Act to obtain information,” countered Central Councilor Daniel Fässler. Official documents can be requested with this instrument. Leaks, on the other hand, are harmful to democratic institutions.
According to Fässler, this makes work in political committees much more difficult. “I would like to deny that there are different qualities of indiscretions.” Official secrecy must be maintained in any case. Councilor of States Fässler therefore called for the matter surrounding Federal Councilor Berset to be investigated.
Exactly what happened is the subject of an ongoing investigation. It is the presumption of innocence. At the beginning of next week, the audit committees of the National Council and the Council of States will decide whether and how they want to take action in this matter.