Swiss journalists could in future receive leaked bank data without fear of criminal prosecution if a parliamentary motion is incorporated in banking secrecy legislation.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Italiano
it
Proposta un’eccezione al segreto bancario per i media svizzeri
On Thursday the government supported a proposal from the House of Representatives that the media would be exempt from prosecution if their reporting is deemed in ‘good faith’.
Last year, a Swiss newspaper turned down the offer of leaked ‘Suisse Secrets’ data, which suggested banking links to criminals and corrupt foreign officials. The newspaper feared criminal prosecution if it followed the example of foreign media which accepted the information.
In addition to criticism from international NGOs, left-leaning Swiss parliamentarians also voiced their concern that press freedom is violated by the law.
A House of Representatives commission responded by issuing a motion to “ensure freedom of the press in financial matters”, which was passed by a narrow majority.
The government broadly welcomed the proposal in a written response on Thursday. But the Senate still has to debate and vote on the issue before any changes can be made to the current law.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Why cars still reign supreme in ‘rail-nation’ Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
UN rapporteur calls out Switzerland for ‘criminalisation of journalism’
This content was published on
The UN Rapporteur for freedom of expression has criticised Switzerland's banking secrecy laws that result in self-censorship by journalists.
Vast leak alleges Credit Suisse accounts held by corrupt officials and criminals
This content was published on
A global investigation by media outlets has uncovered dozens of accounts at Credit Suisse allegedly held by corrupt officials and criminals.
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.