What is the task of journalism in times of Corona? According to Ringier CEO Marc Walder, the aim is to support governments in their pandemic policy. The statement reveals a strange understanding of journalism.
Marc Walder, CEO of Ringier.
In the past two years, the “Blick” acted like a branch of the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). Those who wanted to critically examine government policy tended not to consult the Swiss tabloid. Anyone who wanted to know what new measures Health Minister Alain Berset is working out, on the other hand, got their money’s worth with the “Blick”. The medium seemed to have lost its critical – and journalistic – distance to government policy. When the Swiss voted on the Covid 19 law for the second time in November, the headline “Blick” read: “People redeem the Federal Council”. Including: “The clear result paves the way for tightening due to overcrowded hospitals.” Who paved the way was not the electorate, but the “look”.
The Ringier CEO seems to have laid the ideological foundation for this form of government-friendly reporting himself. At an event organized by the Swiss Management Society, he spoke on the question of what the role of the media in the pandemic was. Marc Walder: “In all the countries where we are active – and I would be happy if it stayed in this group – we said on my initiative: ‘We want to support the government through our media coverage that we are all good come through the crisis. ›»
Accomplices in the government
What the CEO of one of the largest media companies in Switzerland is expressing is a journalistic declaration of bankruptcy. There are no mitigating circumstances, because Walder seems to know what he is doing. The request for confidentiality – “I would be happy if it stayed in this group” – indicates that he is well aware that he is betraying the values of his own business. The first task of journalism is the search for truth. But anyone who, like Walder, wants to support governments through the media cannot perform this task. Instead of accompanying it critically, he makes himself an accomplice to the government.
Walder argues that the seriousness of the pandemic calls for a different type of journalism. In the Corona crisis, the media had “an additional dimension of responsibility, that’s how I would frame it,” he says in the video. The idea of turning Corona into a special topic where the usual journalistic principles do not apply is a mistake. And it is very damaging to the reputation of journalism. Anyone who believes that journalists – especially in the pandemic – are duping the public should see Walder’s statements as welcome confirmation.
Journalistic activists
Of course, Ringier is now trying to downplay the video: “The statement was condensed. And – taken out of context – can be misinterpreted. ” In fact, the statement is unequivocal. Walder is not alone in his idea of journalism either. Like him, other journalistic activists fight for their higher goals and the supposed good of the community. For example, the editors-in-chief of “Stern” recently spoke out in favor of “activating journalism”. The magazine wants to work “for the success of our society”.
Like Walder, most people would like “that we all get through the crisis safely”. However, this goal cannot be a guideline for journalism, just as the fight against global warming is not one. Journalism is characterized precisely by the fact that it does not try to describe what the world should look like, but what it is. This also includes a presentation of the government’s work, which states things clearly and does not take into account whether they are of service to politicians or not.