On 8 March, Swiss citizens will vote on a popular initiative that includes a massive reduction in household licence fees and the elimination of business contributions. If adopted, this initiative would almost halve the revenues of the Swiss public service broadcaster SRG SSR.

Such a significant reduction in revenue would inevitably put at risk the diversity and quality of public service media in Switzerland, and SRG SSR’s ability to deliver on its public mission.

EBU Director General Noel Curran said: “Adequately funded public service media are a vital democratic safeguard. Our research consistently shows that where they are properly resourced, public trust in news is higher and democratic systems are more resilient to polarization and disinformation. Significant funding cuts would put trusted, independent sources of information at risk at precisely the moment they are needed most.

“In Switzerland’s direct democracy - where citizens are regularly called upon to decide on complex national and local issues - cutting funding for SRG SSR would restrict its ability to provide reliable information, weakening informed civic participation and the quality of democratic debate.”

SRG SSR plays a central role in ensuring that this information is available to all audiences across Switzerland’s German, French, Italian and Romansh speaking regions. Providing trusted information and programming of comparable quality to four language communities entails costs that can only be met through funding based on the principle of solidarity.

Stable and proportionate public funding is therefore fundamental to ensure citizens in all parts of the country can access media services that reflect their language, culture and local perspectives.

Adequate funding also enables SRG SSR to invest in original Swiss content and support the country’s cultural, sporting and creative sectors. As a major commissioner and co-producer of domestic film, music and independent production, the organization contributes to a vibrant national media ecosystem helping to ensure that Swiss stories continue to be told and shared across all communities.

At a time when global digital platforms are reshaping the information environment, public service media must also invest in innovation, digital services and resilient journalism. Meeting these challenges - while maintaining universal access to trusted content - requires funding that is sustainable and reflects the breadth of the public service mission.

Weakening national public service media increases reliance on foreign platforms and providers, which can have significant implications for smaller or linguistically diverse markets such as Switzerland.

The upcoming popular initiative is part of Switzerland’s democratic process and ultimately a decision for Swiss voters. However, it underscores the importance of ensuring that public service media organizations such as SRG SSR are equipped with the resources necessary to serve all communities – especially at a time when access to objective information and informed public debate is under increasing pressure in a fragmented, platform-driven media world.