External Accountability

Committee SWI swissinfo.ch 
The committee consists of Alice Šáchová-Kleisli (chairwoman), Andreas Häuptli and Vincent Augustin. 

The committee is appointed by the SRG SSR Board of Directors. It plays a coordinating role and issues recommendations. Together with the government, the committee drafts the mandate of SWI swissinfo.ch and makes proposals for its adaptation. It recommends candidates for the post of director in conjunction with the SRG SSR Director General and can request SWI swissinfo.ch’s main office to move to another location.

The committee provides oversight of the annual report on quality and public service on behalf of the SRG SSR Board of Directors. It also determines the content strategy. Pursuant to this and the financial parameters defined by the SRG SSR Board of Directors, the committee allocates the budget and elects the members of the Public Council.

Public Council SWI swissinfo.ch 
•    André Schaller (president), former Swiss ambassador, language: German

•    Marina Karlin (vice-president), Director of the “Russian Switzerland” magazine, editor and journalist, language: Russian. 

•    Ali Sonay, assistant lecturer, Institute for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Societies, University of Bern, language: Arabic.

•    Cinzia Dal Zotto, professor at the University of Neuchâtel, language: Italian

•    Rose Wettstein, secondary school teacher of English, media and information science, language: English

In accordance with SWI swissinfo.ch statutes, the Public Council establishes a close link between the editorial team and the audience. It advises management in all matters relating to the programme and oversees and supports the editorial team by making observations, suggestions and proposals. It regularly reviews the development, design and success of the foreign mandate by focusing its attention on quality, relevance, diversity and originality.

Ombudsperson’s Office SWI swissinfo.ch
The Ombudsperson’s office liaises between the public and people and institutions affected by media reports and the editorial teams at SWI swissinfo.ch. The Ombudsperson deals with complaints pertaining to violation of the content-related provisions of Articles 4-6 of the Federal Law on Radio and TelevisionExternal link. Complaints must be submitted in writing. A short explanation should be provided as to why the editorial content is believed to contain errors or unfair bias. Contact: Philip Kübler, Ombudsperson.