- The electorate is divided: At the moment, as many voters want to accept as they reject the package of measures for the media. 4 percent have not yet made a decision.
- According to the latest SRG survey, there are clear “yes” majorities in the left-wing parties and in the center. While the voters of the SVP, FDP and non-party affiliates largely reject the package.
- The strongest argument is currently on the pro side: the strengthening of regional reporting.
Should the federal government also promote the media in Switzerland? The federal law on a package of measures in favor of the media provides that the media will be funded directly and indirectly with an additional 123 million francs for seven years than before. In addition, contributions for private radio and television stations are to be increased by up to CHF 28 million a year.
Yes and no are balanced
At the moment, 48 percent are in favor of the package of measures and 48 percent are against it. 4 percent are still undecided. This is shown by the latest poll that the research institute gfs.bern carried out on behalf of SRG.
For Martina Mousson, project manager at gfs.bern, the electorate is extremely divided, and the camps are roughly on par in all areas. “The campaigns will be groundbreaking here.”
Whether one is for or against is primarily a political question. There are clear majorities in the electorate of the SP, Greens and GLP. Those in the middle are also in favor of the package of measures. The situation is different with the voters of the FDP and SVP, they clearly reject the package. Even those who are not affiliated with the party are clearly critical.
Another important factor in the vote is trust in the government. Those with a high level of trust are in favor of the media package of measures. People who are suspicious of the government, however, clearly reject it.
Regional differences are also discernible, in French-speaking Switzerland there is clear approval, while German- and Italian-speaking Switzerland reject the media law.
Regional reporting – the strongest argument
Basically, a critical attitude is perceptible with regard to the role of the state in the media business, so Martina Mousson. The strongest argument on the contrary side is that it is not the job of the state to protect individual economic sectors from market changes.
On the side of the proponents, however, the argument that the law enables good reporting in the regions is the strongest argument.
“Because at the end of the day this also serves democracy,” says Martina Mousson. Regional reporting is currently the most important and most widely shared argument. Nevertheless, the pro side with its arguments currently only has a very small lead over its opponents.
Which side will be among the happy winners on February 13th? This question cannot be answered today – the two camps are too close to each other. For Martina Mousson, it’s a 50:50 chance on both sides.
For the proponents, it should be enough if the rule of opinion formation occurs. The gfs.bern project manager predicts that the voters will move closer to the positions of parliament and the authorities. But the exceptional case could also arise and the package of measures could be rejected.