Swiss Voters Back Public Broadcasting, Reject Licence Fee Cut

Swiss voters are projected to reject a referendum proposing a significant cut to the public broadcaster SRG's funding. With 62% opposing the plan to reduce the annual licence fee from 335 francs to 200 francs, critics argued the cut would harm media integrity and increase disinformation.

Swiss citizens have decisively voted to maintain the current funding for public broadcaster SRG, rejecting a proposal to slash the annual licence fee. Early projections indicated that 62% of voters opposed the referendum, which suggested cutting the fee to 200 francs.

The campaign pushing for the reduction was led by right-wing groups, including the Swiss People's Party (SVP), who argued that the fee, considered the highest globally, was overly burdensome. Critics contended that SRG had become too extensive, as it operates 17 radio stations and seven TV channels across four languages.

Critics of the proposed cut warned that reducing funding would weaken the broadcaster and exacerbate disinformation concerns, reflecting an international trend where public media faces pressure from right-leaning political factions.