Switzerland’s largest media group strengthens dominant position
Some 40% of Switzerland’s German-speaking daily press circulation is published by Tamedia, according to media trade union syndicom.
Keystone
Switzerland’s largest media group, Zurich-based Tamedia, has struck a deal with one of the country’s most controversial politicians, Christoph Blocher.
In exchange for passing some of its free local gazettes over to Blocher’s company, Tamedia will acquire the prestigious German-speaking newspaper Basler ZeitungExternal link (BaZ), previously co-owned by the Swiss People’s Party politician.
“The integration of the Basler Zeitung into Tamedia’s network will enable a strong regional editorial team”, the Zurich publishing group announced on Wednesday.
Media trade union syndicomExternal link said that Tamedia’s take-over of the long-established BaZ would allow the company to “expand its dominant position in the Swiss media even further”. Even without this addition, it said, 40% of Switzerland’s German-speaking daily press circulation is published by Tamedia; in French-speaking Switzerland this share is even higher, at 69%.
Despite having lost some 20% of its readers since 2013, the BaZ currently still has a daily circulation rate of 46,353, according to the latest figures from the media advertising institute WemfExternal link.
In return for the sale of the newspaper, Blocher’s company Zeitungshaus AGExternal link will incorporate several of Tamedia’s free local newspapers, the most important of which is Zurich’s official local gazette TagblattExternal link, currently distributed free of charge to most of the city’s households.
Zeitungshaus AG, which Blocher co-founded, said that the company had with the aim of “promoting media diversity” in Switzerland, and that the transaction would serve this purpose.
The media union Syndico also criticised the deal, saying that it would allow the “billionaire Christoph Blocher to expand his free news empire”. It suspects that he will take advantage the various regional gazettes for “propaganda purposes for his campaigns”.
More
More
Drastic changes shake Swiss media landscape
This content was published on
Tamedia, Switzerland’s biggest private media company, says its 14 different newspapers will soon be produced by two editorial offices.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss diocese introduces code of conduct to tackle church abuse
This content was published on
The Diocese of Sion has introduced a code of conduct to tackle all forms of church-related abuse. A prevention commission has also been established.
Women are the victims of most domestic shootings in Switzerland
This content was published on
Between 2015 and 2022, only one of the 41 perpetrators of domestic gun homicides was female. The vast majority of these cases were femicides.
Swiss army to invest in military equipment and decommission Patrouille Suisse jets
This content was published on
The Swiss army is set to spend CHF1.5 billion on new armaments. The 2025 Armed Forces Dispatch also plans to decommission the current Patrouille Suisse.
Geneva report urges ICJ action against Nicaragua for ‘repression’
This content was published on
International investigators in Geneva have accused Nicaragua's regime of possible crimes against humanity, urging the country be brought before the ICJ.
Swiss defence ministry files criminal complaint over resignation leaks
This content was published on
The Swiss defence ministry has filed a criminal complaint after leaks about the resignations of the army and intelligence chiefs.
WHO’s global lab network faces collapse without new funding
This content was published on
As measles cases surge in Texas, Geneva-based WHO warns its largest global laboratory network is on the brink of collapse unless new funding is secured.
Charges dropped in Geneva parcel bomb investigation
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) is looking to drop the case against two brothers linked to the Geneva parcel bomb incidents.
German and Swiss men arrested in Zurich cocaine raid
This content was published on
Swiss police seized four kilos of cocaine and over CHF100,000 in cash from two suspected drug dealers in Schlieren, near Zurich.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Blocher steps down as People’s Party strategist
This content was published on
This comes as part of an internal party reorganization in the run-up to 2019 parliamentary elections. The People’s Party is Switzerland’s largest parliamentary party. Billionaire Blocher, 77, is not, however, retiring from politics. He is now expected to concentrate on combatting the government’s plans for closer ties with the European Union in Brussels. Blocher has…
How has one of the richest families in Switzerland made its fortune?
This content was published on
From biscuits to pharmaceuticals – here’s how conservative right politician Christoph Blocher and his family made their millions.
‘We were the only ones who cared about Swiss self-determination’
This content was published on
Christoph Blocher speaks to swissinfo.ch about the 1992 vote on EEA membership, his millions, and politics a quarter of a century later.
Government minister calls for media quality and diversity
This content was published on
In a wide-ranging interviewExternal link on Monday with the Watson news platform and several regional newspapers, Leuthard said a dominant role for a single player in the media sector was not desirable. “It must be the goal to secure diversity and quality in the media for democratic reasons,” she said. Leuthard also expressed concern about…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.