•Written by The Editors• ••Tuesday•, 01 •June• 2010 22:39•
Do foreigners really need to know anything about Switzerland? The Federal Parliament in Bern is in the process of deciding where to make major cuts in the country's public broadcasting and informantion system. Swissinfo is on the chopping block. Anyone who objects can sign the petition. We, the undersigned, call on the government and parliament not to sacrifice the international voice of Switzerland, the news and internet platform www.swissinfo.ch, in the federal cost-cutting programme 2011-2013.
In 2009 Switzerland repeatedly came under international scrutiny. Banking secrecy, the minaret initiative, the crisis with Libya and tax issues with neighbouring countries were all controversial issues. It is swissinfo's duty to explain Switzerland in all its diversity from a national perspective to people living abroad, and to provide background on politics, the economy, science, society and culture. It does this in nine languages.
The swissinfo.ch internet platform contributes to making it easier for an international audience to understand complex decisions made by the electorate, the complicated political context and conflicts of interest.
It is with concern and incomprehension that we learned of plans to cut federal funding for swissinfo.ch - the former Swiss Radio International - from 2012.
Under its government mandate, swissinfo.ch not only explains to a foreign audience what makes the country tick but also provides information to the more than 700,000 Swiss abroad who are important ambassadors for Switzerland.
We are strongly in favour of swissinfo.ch remaining an independent medium and call on the government and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation to continue to contribute 50% each to its funding.
SIGN THE PETITION
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