Larissa M. Bieler

I am the Director of SWI swissinfo.ch and a member of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation's Executive Board.

Born in Graubünden in 1978, I studied German, economics and politics. I started my journalistic career as a freelance journalist for local and regional media. This was followed by a decade as editor-in-chief, first at the Bündner Tagblatt newspaper and later at SWI swissinfo.ch. Since 2019, I have been Director of the international platform SWI swissinfo.ch and a member of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation's Executive Board.

A Happy New Year – and a request from us

This content was published on Dec 27, 2024 What affects you and the world also has consequences for SWI swissinfo.ch and Switzerland.

We look forward to your contributions in 2022

This content was published on Dec 31, 2021 SWI swissinfo.ch's editor-in-chief on what awaits readers in the coming year.

Are you allowed to express your opinion?

This content was published on Jun 30, 2021 What does freedom of expression mean to you and is it under threat where you live? We want to hear your thoughts.

Opinion

‘A new form of journalism to spark your curiosity’

This content was published on Jun 8, 2020 Our relaunch marks a new start for SWI swissinfo.ch, the international, ten-language platform of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).

What lies ahead for Switzerland after the vote?

This content was published on Oct 21, 2019 Green, female and progressive were the headlines from this election. What does this historic vote mean for Switzerland going forward?

‘You’ll never hear “Switzerland first” from me’

This content was published on Sep 7, 2019 Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis aims to strengthen Switzerland’s sense of identity in the wider world, as he told swissinfo.ch.

Von Graffenried on Algeria

This content was published on Apr 24, 2019

How does press photography stay relevant?

This content was published on Apr 24, 2019 In a world flooded with images, Swiss photographer Michael von Graffenried still believes the work of professionals is indispensable.

Outgoing minister warns of ‘vulnerable’ Switzerland

This content was published on Oct 2, 2018 Last week, Doris Leuthard announced she would be leaving the Federal Council. It’s important not to miss her very clear message.

Ueli Maurer with Russian ambassador Sergey Garmonin

World Cup: ‘You have to separate sport and politics’

This content was published on Jun 15, 2018 As the football World Cup kicks off in Russia, the Swiss finance minister tells swissinfo.ch why he doesn’t support a boycott of the tournament.

Pioneering female pilot now runs her own airline

This content was published on Apr 6, 2018 Helene Niedhart created headlines in the 1980s when, because no Swiss airline would employ her as a pilot, she founded her own airline.

Solo exhibition of Swiss artist Yves Netzhammer, in Shanghai (2017)

‘We must not impose politics on the artists’ work’

This content was published on Mar 14, 2018 Philippe Bischof, the new director of the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia, talks to swissinfo.ch about the significance of cultural exchanges abroad.

Fact check: the case for and against licence fees

This content was published on Oct 11, 2017 We checked the claims of politicians from the for and against camps in the debate about broadcasting licence fees.

Top Swiss economist: ‘We have to pull together’ on pension reform

This content was published on Aug 25, 2017 Rudolf Strahm is one of Switzerland’s most reputed economists. Here, he shares his opinion of Pension Reform 2020.

Pensions: ‘If nothing changes, the young will pay twice’

This content was published on Aug 23, 2017 Interior Minister Alain Berset talks pension reforms with swissinfo.ch's editor-in-chief Larissa M Bieler.

Only cabinet ministers get single rooms

This content was published on May 4, 2017 Switzerland has an amazingly extensive underworld. If it were all laid end to end, it would form a tunnel 3,780 kilometres long.

‘This is about Western perceptions…our relationship to this art’

This content was published on Apr 17, 2017 Bern and Switzerland have more connections to the Russian Revolution than we might at first imagine.

Becoming a mom after age 50: two viewpoints

This content was published on Jul 15, 2016 With 32 being the average age for giving birth in Switzerland, the case of advancing maternal age is leading to debate. Is criticism justified? And should lawmakers intervene? Opinions differ in the editorial offices of swissinfo.ch as well. No, criticism is not justified, says Larissa M. Bieler, editor-in-chief of swissinfo.ch The incredulity is strong, the…

Switzerland, leading the way in assisted suicide?

This content was published on Jul 11, 2016 The final act in assisted suicide – which is widely accepted in Switzerland – is the taking of a lethal substance. It needs the patient’s active involvement. Or to put it another way: it’s a suicide for which the patient requires medical help to prepare. Switzerland is one of the most progressive countries in the…

Too old, tired or ill to live

This content was published on Jul 8, 2016 PLACEHOLDER Is it right and is choosing one’s own death also a part of life? Or does it lead to pressure on old people to choose death too early? These are the key controversial questions currently shaping debate over assisted suicide in Switzerland – a practice which is still not explicitly regulated. Currently there is…