Switzerland : Online petition launched to save swissinfo.ch

swissinfo.ch must not fall victim to government cost-cutting, say many high-profile Swiss around the world in a petition to save the multimedia internet portal.

Among the 1,500 people to have backed the petition so far are Walter Kälin, the United Nations representative for internally displaced persons, and Alfred Defago, Switzerland's former ambassador to the United States.

The petition (see link) calls on the government and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) to continue to contribute 50 per cent each to swissinfo.ch's funding.

It argues that in 2009 Switzerland repeatedly came under international scrutiny and swissinfo.ch plays a vital role in helping an international audience understand complex decisions made by the electorate, the complicated political context and conflicts of interest. It does this in nine languages.

In February the government confirmed funding for swissinfo.ch would be cut as part of budget proposals for 2011-2013. The plans will have to be confirmed by the cabinet in June and would need to go before parliament.

It is the second time in less than ten years that swissinfo.ch is facing potential financial cuts. Its budget was reduced to SFr26 million from SFr44 million and included job losses and the abolition of shortwave radio broadcasts. 

swissinfo.ch

Source: Online petition launched to save swissinfo.ch.

- swissinfo http://bit.ly/cM5QYK

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Petition to save the internet platform swissinfo.ch

SIGN THE PETITION   We, the undersigned, call on the government and parliament not to sacrifice the international voice of Switzerland, the news and internet platform www.swissinfo.ch, in the federal cost-cutting programme 2011-2013. In 2009 Switzerland repeatedly came under international scrutiny. Banking secrecy, the minaret initiative, the crisis with Libya and tax issues with neighbouring countries were all controversial issues. It is swissinfo's duty to explain Switzerland in all its diversity from a national perspective to people living abroad, and to provide background on politics, the economy, science, society and culture. It does this in nine languages. The swissinfo.ch internet platform contributes to making it easier for an international audience to understand complex decisions made by the electorate, the complicated political context and conflicts of interest. It is with concern and incomprehension that we learned of plans to cut federal funding for swissinfo.ch - the former Swiss Radio International – from 2012. Under its government mandate, swissinfo.ch not only explains to a foreign audience what makes the country tick but also provides information to the more than 700,000 Swiss abroad who are important ambassadors for Switzerland. We are strongly in favour of swissinfo.ch remaining an independent medium and call on the government and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation to continue to contribute 50% each to its funding.  SIGN THE PETITION http://bit.ly/8ZYvQB

http://www.rettet-swissinfo.ch/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=55
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia)