With the launch of the “200 francs are enough” initiative, the SRF is under pressure again a few years after the failed “No Billag” initiative. SRG Director General Gilles Marchand outlines what the massive cut in funds would mean for the company and society.
SRF News: It was only four years ago that the “No Billag” initiative received a clear no at the ballot box. Now comes the next attack. What did SRG do wrong?
Gilles Marchand: SRG really kept their promises. We have done a lot to better reach our audience, but also in terms of digitization and improving efficiency. Now this new initiative is coming, which is rather destructive. But we will once again explain with all our might why a strong public service is still important for our country. This is also shown by the current events in Europe.
But isn’t it the case that SRG has repeatedly made negative headlines lately, which hasn’t strengthened its position vis-à-vis the public? Keywords: salaries of the SRG management, austerity programs, no more Champions League and cuts in cultural programs.
In this whole question, various problems must be distinguished: For example, the new situation in the sports sector, where there are new players such as UPC and Swisscom. We cannot make everything and buy everything. As for our wages and company issues, we have explained why this was decided.
All this has, don’t think, anything really to do with this initiative, which has been prepared for a long time. I tend to think that the initiators have not yet digested the “No Billag” initiative and are now coming back with a new idea to weaken the SRG. This will continue and we must fight it.
If the initiative were accepted, the radio and television fee would still be CHF 200 per household. That would result in 700 million Swiss francs per year for the SRG. How would you implement that?
Without having checked the details, we can say very clearly: If we go in this direction, our whole decentralized model will become impossible. There would probably only be one central main studio in all of Switzerland.
That would be extremely hard for our employees. It would cost thousands of jobs, not only at SRG but also in the private sector. It would be extremely difficult for the entire film, music and culture industry, where we invest a lot. But investments with private companies would also be affected. That would be extremely difficult not only for us, but for society as a whole.
The interviewer was Rafael von Matt.