Swissinfo under pressure: a question of political will

Should the Swiss Abroad have more political influence? This question has sparked a heated debate on the dialogue platform of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). “Yes, give them more of a say,” declared one respondent. “People who have lived in different countries are much wiser. They have a better understanding of different cultures and of where the world stands at a certain time.” Others were more critical: “In my opinion, anyone who has lived outside Switzerland for more than a year should not be allowed to vote until they return.”

Government wants to cut services for Swiss Abroad by half. 

The Swiss Abroad are well aware that their political rights at home can be polarising. Accusations of freeloading, debates over access to social benefits, and concerns about their growing numbers and potential influence on voting outcomes often stir controversy. Living far from home yet still retaining the right to vote raises thorny questions about belonging, fairness and solidarity. In such emotionally charged discussions, the Swiss Abroad find themselves increasingly in the glare of both media scrutiny and political debate.

Government wants to cut services for Swiss Abroad by half

Hence, it is all the more important to provide consistent and factual reporting, not just about, but for the Swiss Abroad. Reporting that is nuanced, contextualised and open to dialogue. This information mandate is enshrined in law. Founded in 1935 as Swiss Radio International, swissinfo fulfils this role today as a digital platform in ten languages. It receives around 45 million website visits per year, and significantly more during times of crisis.

Why does this matter in democratic terms? The Swiss Abroad often feel the impact of political decisions in ways that differ from their peers at home. Take, for example, the abolition of child pensions. In Switzerland, in cases of hardship supplementary benefits cushion the blow. This support does not exist abroad. And when the Swiss Abroad cast their votes differently from voters at home, it inevitably draws attention, and sometimes controversy, back in Switzerland.

Parliament will have the opportunity to correct this course in the autumn.

However, this tried-and-tested and legally anchored service for Swiss expats is now under intense political pressure. From 2027, the government plans to entirely cut federal subsidies for the SBC’s international service as part of its 2027 relief package. This would effectively cut the budget in half, which would have serious ramifications for the basic media coverage for the Swiss Abroad as well as for Switzerland’s presence and sovereignty in the global network.

Reality of life instead of ratings

swissinfo is a democratic tool for Switzerland. Stories about Swiss emigrants may draw big audiences at home, but they do not meet the information needs of the community itself. “That often has little to do with our reality,” a Swiss woman living abroad recently told me. Those following political events from afar need context, analysis, and a concise, overarching view of Switzerland. swissinfo provides exactly that where it is needed and enables the Swiss Abroad to exercise their political rights in an informed way. It offers daily news briefings, exchange and a community network with its own perspectives, concerns and needs. All this is unique in the media landscape. It’s not a luxury, but a necessity.

A canton without media?

A canton without its own media would be unthinkable in a modern democracy. In terms of numbers, the 830,000 Swiss expats make up Switzerland’s fourth-largest “canton”. Artificial intelligence may offer technical possibilities, however, a translation button alone does not turn a news broadcast into a meaningful report for people who have lived abroad for decades or were born and bred overseas but still hold a Swiss passport. swissinfo doesn’t just translate the language, it also conveys Swiss culture and politics. This bridge-building role is lost when content is technically accessible but lacks context. Commercial, private media are not in a position to take on this task.

Petition to save Swissinfo: www.swissinfo-petition.ch 
 

The Swiss Abroad are part of Switzerland’s democratic diversity. The community needs strong media such as swissinfo and the “Swiss Review” magazine published by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) – not only in times of public outrage, but on a permanent basis. These aspects have not been given sufficient consideration in the 2027 relief package. Parliament will have the opportunity to correct this course in the autumn.