Why the Swiss press distribution system supports direct democracy, facilitates cultural life and brings joie de vivre. This fragile, balanced system is based on five pillars, which together guarantee stability and continuity.
The entire diversity of society is revealed at a single glance, from small local papers to business magazines and elite cultural publications. Piles of titles lie close together – even if the contents couldn’t be more different. The boundless diversity of newspapers and magazines reflects the freedom and creativity of our society.
The Swiss press distribution system must be protected. Diversity is the essence of a liberal society.
From the intellectual value of the editorial…
The press distribution system has a special significance in Switzerland because of direct democracy: our citizens vote several times a year on national, cantonal and local issues. They are accordingly dependent on information, which is why millions of citizens choose certain newspapers and magazines every day. Diversity of opinion is of crucial relevance to this direct democratic process. If anything, the Swiss population has become more appreciative and accepting of direct democracy in recent years – and accordingly they insist on being able to gather information from a broad range of sources. From letters to the editor to editorials – they all contribute to our citizens’ ability to form their own opinions.
Press diversity for all citizens in all regions thus guarantees diversity of opinion.
But the Swiss press distribution system not only fosters opinion-forming in direct democracy, it also supports life and creativity in both cultural and social terms. References, reviews, reports, critiques and assessments cover folklore in remote valleys, open-air concerts between Locarno and Basel and performances by famous soloists in our country’s leading concert halls. This coverage reflects our cultural and social life, but only if newspapers and magazines are available to everyone in every region – in the villages, the agglomerations and urban centres, up hill, down dale.
Legal foundations
The Swiss Federal Constitution protects freedom of opinion and information in its catalogue of fundamental rights, as well as freedom of the media. The legislature regards the media as a link between the state and the public, and it considers the safeguarding of the unhindered flow of news and the free exchange of opinions to lie at the heart of the freedom of the press. Basic rights are first and foremost defensive rights against encroachments by the state. At the same time the state has the duty to shape the competitive order in such a way that it comes close to the guiding model of diversity of opinion. The contribution of the media to diversity of opinion therefore enjoys special constitutional protection.
…to individual passion
But these newspapers and magazines also illustrate our joie de vivre: they report on hobbies and interests, fields of expertise and passions – from the culinary arts to home design. Newspapers and magazines available everywhere reflect a country’s zest for life, and they inspire the people of Switzerland to stay active and curious.
So press diversity stands for quality of life in a modern, diverse, enlightened society.
Functioning distribution in the press sector is crucial to the diversity of newspaper and magazine titles. For decades, press distribution in Switzerland has been in the hands of wholesalers who are independent of publishers and who have exclusive rights in their territories.
7Days Media Services GmbH, Frankfurt/Main, is responsible for distribution in the German-speaking and Italian-speaking areas. This German company, which has a branch office in Egerkingen, acquired Valora’s wholesale press business on 1 August 2014.
Why has the Swiss press distribution system proven itself over the past decades? There are three main reasons for this:
- Press distribution is completely neutral, governed solely by logistical efficiency.
- Press distribution is carried out independently of the financial or entrepreneurial interests of individual publishing houses.
- Press distribution is non-discriminatory and independent of the ideological, political or content-related positions adopted by individual publications.
The historical result is also clear: the Swiss press distribution system, which embodies the country’s federalist structure, has proven itself. The system not only ensures great print-media diversity: it is also noted for its efficiency. That our system makes a decisive contribution to diversity of opinion in Switzerland is a proven fact.
The conclusion is therefore clear:
The system works: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Without interruption. So the cornerstones on which the system is based – the essentials – must be preserved. This efficient system, adapted to our Swiss needs, must also be able to prove itself in future.
The conclusion for Switzerland
Diversity of opinion:
The press distribution system is customized for Switzerland, and it guarantees diversity of opinion.
Supply mandate:
As a neutral distribution partner of the publishers and retailers, the wholesaler fulfils a supply mandate – entirely in line with the requirements of a media-political public service.
Diversity:
The Swiss distribution system meets the requirement to protect print-media diversity.
Ubiquity:
Under the Swiss distribution system, titles are available everywhere: ubiquity is guaranteed.
