Switzerland
Europe · Western Europe1 IP
One group-level entry, in the independent family
8/180
RSF 2026 · 84.83 out of 100
61.9%
Rejected the CHF 200 levy initiative, 8 March 2026
CHF 300
Household levy from 2029, from 335 today
The referendum
The initiative "200 Franken sind genug!" would have capped the household levy at CHF 200, exempted all businesses and restricted SRG SSR to an essential public service. Voters rejected it by 61.9 per cent on 8 March 2026, after opposition from the Federal Council and Parliament. It would have preserved levy support for eligible private local radio and regional television
Levy reductions stand
Decided before the vote and unaffected by it: CHF 335 to 312 in 2027, then 300 in 2029. From 2027 the business turnover threshold rises from CHF 500,000 to CHF 1.2 million, exempting about 80 per cent of VAT-registered businesses
Support beyond SRG
Eligible private local radio and regional television receive a share of levy revenue, with CHF 86 million a year available from 2025. Postal-distribution support for qualifying regional and local newspapers rose from CHF 30 million to CHF 40 million a year from 1 January 2026, for seven years
The next mandate
The current concession runs to 31 December 2028. Consultation on a replacement is expected in spring 2027, adoption around mid-2028 and implementation in 2029, with preparatory priorities including information, education and culture, and discussion of online, sports and entertainment output. Final requirements are not yet decided
The mapped entry
SRG SSR, a private non-profit association of about 24,000 members in four regional organisations, broadcasting through SRF, RTS, RSI and RTR alongside SWI swissinfo.ch. Susanne Wille has been Director-General since November 2024
AI
Binding AI regulations adopted 21 April 2026, effective 1 June: photorealistic depictions of real news events prohibited, AI images and video generally labelled, synthetic voices disclosed. Switzerland is preparing legislation implementing the Council of Europe's AI Convention, with a consultation draft due by the end of 2026
Sources: Reporters Without Borders 2026 Index; Federal Chancellery referendum result; Federal Council levy ordinance; Federal Office of Communications; SRG SSR announcements and AI regulations. Classification per the State Media Matrix.
Press freedom
Switzerland · 20268/180
RSF 2026 · 84.83 out of 100
61.9%
Rejected halving the levy
CHF 86m
A year to private local radio and regional TV
CHF 40m
A year for newspaper distribution, from 30
A year decided at the ballot box
8 Mar 2026
Voters reject the halving initiative by 61.9 per cent; the Federal Council and Parliament had opposed it
23 Mar 2026
SRG confirms 900 full-time-equivalent reductions by 2029 after employee consultation
1 June 2026
Binding AI regulations take effect across SRG SSR
14 Sept 2026
CHF 80 million of 2027 savings measures specified
Spring 2027
Consultation expected on the concession replacing the one that expires on 31 December 2028
Public support for private media
Eligible private local radio and regional television receive a share of levy revenue, CHF 86 million a year from 2025. Postal-distribution support for qualifying regional and local newspapers rose from CHF 30 million to CHF 40 million a year from 1 January 2026, for seven years
Constitutional protection
Article 93(3) of the Federal Constitution guarantees broadcasting independence and autonomy in programme-making. Federal powers over financing and the concession operate alongside that protection, which is why the 2029 mandate is the next question rather than the levy
AI rules
SRG's binding regulations prohibit photorealistic AI depictions of real news events and synthetic material that could pass as authentic recordings. AI images and video generally require labelling; clearly identifiable satire is excepted within its original programme context, but separately published or decontextualised excerpts must be labelled. Synthetic voices require disclosure
National AI legislation
Switzerland is preparing legislation implementing the Council of Europe's AI Convention, with a consultation draft due by the end of 2026. The EU AI Act is not Swiss domestic law, though its territorial scope can reach Swiss providers and deployers supplying the EU market
Sources: Reporters Without Borders 2026 Index; Federal Chancellery; Federal Office of Communications; SRG SSR announcements and AI regulations; Federal Constitution, article 93(3).
Switzerland ranked eighth of 180 countries and territories in the 2026 RSF World Press Freedom Index, scoring 84.83 out of 100. The index assesses the national environment for journalism rather than individual broadcasters.
State Media Monitor maps one entry in Switzerland, classified Independent Public (IP).
SRG SSR is a private, non-profit association based in Bern. Its membership structure comprises four regional organisations with approximately 24,000 members, which underpin the association’s governance. Broadcasting is delivered through SRF in German, RTS in French, RSI in Italian and RTR in Romansh, alongside SWI swissinfo.ch. The regional membership organisations and broadcasting units are distinct parts of the structure.
Governance combines regional representation with a limited federal appointment role. The 41-member Delegates’ Assembly comprises 36 regional delegates, including the four regional presidents, together with three additional Board members elected by the Assembly and two appointed by the Federal Council. The nine-member Board consists of those four regional presidents, three Assembly-elected members and two Federal Council appointees.
Susanne Wille has been Director-General since November 2024. On 20 August 2026 president Jean-Michel Cina announced his intention to step down, with his successor to be elected in spring 2027; he remains in office until the handover.
An earmarked public levy supplies most funding. In 2025 SRG SSR reported operating revenue of CHF 1,557.6 million, including CHF 1,252.8 million from the media levy, approximately 80.4 per cent, and CHF 210.9 million in commercial revenue. Other income included approximately CHF 20.4 million in public grants. The group recorded a net loss of CHF 2.9 million, against a CHF 15.3 million profit in 2024.
The Federal Council determines the levy and allocations to its beneficiaries, while the Federal Office of Communications administers the distribution. SRG’s predominant funding source is therefore a dedicated public contribution, with supplementary public grants and commercial income.
Savings and workforce reductions continue after the referendum. SRG SSR plans approximately CHF 270 million in savings by 2029 and a reduction of 900 full-time-equivalent positions, confirmed on 23 March 2026 following employee consultation. The total includes approximately 300 positions covered by an earlier programme; some reductions will occur through turnover and retirement, although the broadcaster says redundancies are unavoidable.
The 2025 accounts already record 248 fewer full-time-equivalent positions at year-end than in 2024. On 14 September 2026 SRG specified CHF 80 million in savings measures for 2027, acknowledging that programming would also be affected. The planned 900-position reduction should not be presented as 900 completed dismissals.
Editorial independence is constitutionally protected. Article 93(3) of the Federal Constitution guarantees broadcasting independence and autonomy in programme-making. SRG’s statutes additionally prohibit its Board from issuing individual instructions on ongoing programme matters. Federal powers over financing and the concession operate alongside these protections.
One group-level entry, funded by an earmarked levy
Switzerland · 2026Independent Public · 1
Governance: regional membership, limited federal role
36
Regional delegates of 41 in the Assembly
2 of 9
Board seats appointed by the Federal Council
SRG SSR is a private non-profit association of about 24,000 members in four regional organisations. The Assembly's 41 seats comprise 36 regional delegates including the four regional presidents, three Board members it elects and two Federal Council appointees; the nine-member Board comprises those four presidents, three Assembly-elected members and the two federal appointees. Jean-Michel Cina announced on 20 August 2026 that he will step down as president, with a successor to be elected in spring 2027.
Funding and its pressures
In 2025 operating revenue was CHF 1,557.6 million, of which the levy supplied CHF 1,252.8 million, about 80.4 per cent, with CHF 210.9 million commercial and roughly CHF 20.4 million in public grants. The group recorded a net loss of CHF 2.9 million after a CHF 15.3 million profit. Savings of about CHF 270 million are planned by 2029, with 900 full-time-equivalent reductions confirmed on 23 March 2026, 248 already recorded, and CHF 80 million of 2027 measures specified on 14 September.
Editorial protection
Article 93(3) of the Federal Constitution guarantees broadcasting independence and autonomy in programme-making, and SRG's statutes bar its Board from issuing individual instructions on ongoing programme matters. Audience councils connect the broadcaster with civil society; formal complaints go first to an independent ombudsman service, then to the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television, whose decisions may be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
On 17 September 2026 SRG announced the sale of its three music stations: CH Media takes Radio Swiss Pop in January 2027 and Digris AG takes Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz in July 2027, both committing to preserve their character for at least two years. The planned 900-position reduction should not be presented as 900 completed dismissals.
Sources: SRG SSR statutes, consolidated accounts and announcements; Federal Constitution, article 93(3); Federal Office of Communications. IP = Independent Public, per the State Media Matrix.
Media profiles
