The popular initiative “200 francs is enough” (SSR initiative), which wants to pass the Radio-TV royalty from 335 to 200 francs, is not successful under the federal dome. After the National, the competent committee of the Council of States swept the text.
The initiative of the UDC, the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts (USAM) and young PLRs not only wants to lower the royalty to 200 francs per year, but it also requires exempt all companies. The Transport and Telecommunications Committee of the Council of States rejects it by 12 votes against 1.
It is opposed to new cuts in media financing, the services of the Parliament on Tuesday. And to highlight the importance of a diversified, independent and high quality journalistic offer.
No counter-project of the Parliament
The Commission also refers to the counter-project of the Federal Council, opposed to the initiative, at the level of the order. The royalty must increase to 312 francs in 2027, then to 300 in 2029 for private households. For collective households like the homes, the tax will go from 670 francs to 624 in 2027, then to 600 francs in 2029.
The turnover allowing an exemption for companies is also revised upwards, from 500,000 francs to 1.2 million. Thus, from 2027, around 80% of companies subject to VAT will no longer pay the fee. The SSR is expected to receive around 1.2 billion in 2029, 120 million less than in course.
This government counter-project will reduce the financial burden of households and small businesses, according to the Commission. But it also represents a challenge for the provision of an equivalent journalistic offer in all linguistic regions.
For a long time in disagreement, the competent commissions of the two chambers have given the end to develop a parliamentary counter-project. The National Council confirmed the decision last June, after a debt-tank.
No additional exemption
In a press release, the alliance for the diversity of the media, which fights the popular initiative and has members of all stripes except the UDC, praised the committee’s decision. If the initiative was accepted, the Swiss media system would become similar to that of the United States, according to the Alliance. The market would not regulate, but would, on the contrary, destroy a diversified offer, guaranteeing objectivity and democracy.
In the process, the Commission unanimously refused a motion by Mauro Poggia (MCG/GE) which aims to ensure that deaf or blind people living alone are exempt from the fee. If it underlines the importance of inclusion, the Commission considers that further promoted distinct amounts for the royalty would result in a significant administrative burden, which would be inappropriate. Rather, it is necessary to ensure that the services of the public media service are accessible to all.
