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Referendum on licence fee reduction
Switzerland holds a nationwide vote this Sunday on whether to slash the annual fee for its public broadcaster, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), from 335 Swiss francs (£320; $435) to 200 francs (£190; $260) per household.
Arguments for the cut
The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) leads the campaign for the reduction, arguing the current fee is excessive amid rising living costs. Party lawmaker Manfred Bühler told local media that modern production methods make the existing budget unnecessary. "Two hundred francs is sufficient," he said.
The proposal would also exempt businesses from the fee. Polls initially suggested a tight race, with younger audiences questioning whether the SBC's extensive output remains justified in the streaming era.
Opposition concerns
Critics warn the cut would threaten Switzerland's linguistic diversity. The SBC operates separate channels in German, French, Italian, and Romansh, broadcasting national and regional news daily. Social Democrat MP Fabian Molina called the fee essential for "national cohesion," ensuring equal representation across all communities.
The SBC has warned of hundreds of job losses and reduced coverage, including international news. The broadcaster maintains correspondents in key global hubs like Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. "As a neutral country, our perspective is unique," Molina said.
Sports coverage would also shrink, affecting broadcasts of football and winter sports-unlike in the UK, where top leagues have moved to paid subscriptions.
Russian interference sparks backlash
The debate shifted after a Russian state-backed outlet, RT, published an op-ed urging Swiss voters to support the cut. The author, using the pseudonym "Hans-Ueli Läppli," accused the SBC of "Russophobia" and "manipulation."
The article was widely seen as foreign interference in Switzerland's direct democracy. While RT remains accessible in Switzerland, the government has condemned Moscow's disinformation campaigns, particularly after Bern backed EU sanctions over the Ukraine invasion.
Campaigners for the cut denied any ties to RT. "Our focus is easing financial pressure on households," said committee member Susanne Brunner. Anti-populist groups responded with posters linking the vote to autocratic leaders like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán.
Polls favour status quo
Recent surveys show 54-57% of voters oppose the cut, with opponents including the government, most political parties, and cultural groups. Molina argued the fee-paid annually-is a minor expense compared to broader cost-of-living pressures.
Sunday's ballot also includes votes on a climate fund, constitutional guarantees for cash payments, and tax reforms for married couples.
