Summary
The Independent Complaints Office for Broadcasting (UBI) dismissed three media complaints against Swiss broadcasters on February 2, 2026 – in some cases by narrow margins. The decisions concern unreported press conference coverage by the Free Switzerland Action Alliance on WHO health regulations, controversial reporting on the Gaza conflict at SRF, and alleged violations of diversity requirements in RTS reporting on rental rights voting. The narrow voting results indicate significant internal divergence in the interpretation of broadcasting law.
People
- Mascha Santschi Kallay (UBI President)
- Edy Salmina (new UBI Vice President)
- Manuel Bertschi (new Ombudsman)
Topics
- Media oversight and broadcasting law
- Press freedom vs. access rights
- Voting report coverage
- International health regulations
- Gaza conflict in media reporting
Clarus Lead
The UBI has dismissed three highly relevant media complaints that raise fundamental questions about broadcasting freedom and access rights. The narrow voting results – particularly the 4:3 decisions – reveal deep rifts in the interpretation of broadcasting law. Especially in reporting on ballot measures and Gaza coverage, borderline cases emerge that show where the boundaries between editorial freedom and balance lie.
Clarus Analysis
Clarus Research: The UBI decisions reveal a tension between the principle of editorial independence (no forced "right to air") and the mandate for balance. Particularly the 4:3 vote on the RTS broadcast two weeks before the rental rights vote shows that borderline cases exist where a narrow majority still considers balance sufficient – while a strong minority disputes this.
Assessment: The dismissals signal a restrictive interpretation of access rights for individuals and organizations. The "right to air" exists according to the UBI only in exceptional cases (elections, votes, discrimination). This significantly restricts the opportunities for citizen movements like the Free Switzerland Action Alliance – a risk for participation, but also a protection against overloading broadcasting with claims.
Consequence: Decision-makers in media companies should place greater emphasis on internal quality control for voting report coverage. The narrow votes signal that UBI standards are not clear-cut. For citizen movements: a right to coverage does not effectively exist; persuasion work must occur through other channels.
Detailed Summary
Access Complaint: ABF Switzerland and Missing WHO Reporting
The Free Switzerland Action Alliance (ABF Switzerland) criticized SRF for not reporting on a press conference on June 2, 2025. At this conference, a petition signed by 45,000 citizens was presented opposing Switzerland's adoption of the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the WHO.
The UBI acknowledged that there is public interest in the topic. However, it pointed to the Radio and Television Act, which explicitly stipulates that no one can compel a broadcaster to disseminate certain information. A "right to air" for individuals or organizations exists only in exceptional cases – for instance, ahead of elections and votes or in cases of suspected discrimination.
Several UBI members also highlighted the different circumstances compared to a complaint approved in April 2025 in the so-called "RKI Files" case, suggesting inconsistency in jurisprudence.
Time Period Complaint: RTS and Rental Rights Vote
The Romandy Real Estate Federation (FRI) complained about RTS reporting ahead of the federal vote on November 24, 2024, on two rental law revisions (owner occupancy and subletting). The FRI argued that opponents of the proposal received more airtime and better platforms than supporters.
The UBI dismissed the complaint by a clear majority (6:1), reasoning that RTS could not be held responsible for opponents presenting more convincingly and arguing better. A separate complaint about a single broadcast – in which two weeks before the vote a Geneva SP politician was interviewed for minutes as the sole opponent – was dismissed only narrowly (4:3). The majority considered the proponents' arguments as sufficiently presented through the moderator's questioning.
Public Complaint: SRF and Gaza Reporting
A third complaint targeted a contribution in the SRF radio program "Rendez-vous" on August 6, 2025. In it, the director general of "Doctors Without Borders Switzerland" was interviewed, repeatedly describing Israel's actions as genocide.
SRF placed a note below the broadcast stating that it distanced itself from the allegation of genocide and that this question was unresolved. Three UBI members shared the complainant's view that this note should have appeared during the broadcast. However, the majority (4:3) concluded that a distancing directly in the broadcast was not legally required.
Personnel Changes at the UBI
At its meeting, the UBI also elected Edy Salmina, a Lugano lawyer, as new vice president. At the same time, Manuel Bertschi, a 37-year-old Basel lawyer, was appointed as the new ombudsman for private broadcasters in German-speaking Switzerland. He succeeds Oliver Sidler. The Federal Council also elected Oliver Sidler and Flavia Buchli as new UBI members effective January 1, 2026.
Key Statements
- The "right to air" for individuals and organizations is severely limited and exists only in exceptional cases.
- Editorial decisions about coverage cannot be enforced through complaint procedures.
- Balance in voting report coverage is difficult to operationalize; borderline cases lead to narrow votes in the UBI.
- Distancing from controversial statements (such as "genocide") does not necessarily have to occur within a broadcast – a note afterwards can suffice.
- Internal dissent in the UBI indicates a lack of clear standards in interpreting broadcasting law.
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Stakeholder | Impact |
|---|---|
| Citizen Movements & Organizations | Restricted access rights; dependent on editorial decisions |
| Broadcasters (SRF, RTS) | Confirmation of editorial freedom, but uncertainty in borderline cases |
| Political Parties & Interest Groups | Dependent on editorial coverage; no claim to equal airtime |
| Audience | Dependent on quality and balance of coverage |
| UBI Members | Narrowness of decisions signals interpretation uncertainty |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Editorial independence remains protected | Citizen movements have little opportunity to be heard |
| Broadcasters retain decision-making freedom | Unclear standards lead to legal uncertainty |
| Protection against overload of access claims | Narrowness of decisions suggests lack of clarity |
| Distancing can occur after the fact | Lack of confidence in balance in voting report coverage |
Action Relevance
For Broadcasters:
- Establish internal quality control for voting report coverage to avoid borderline cases.
- Document editorial decisions on balance in a comprehensible manner.
- Note that distancing from controversial statements should occur promptly (even if not necessarily within the broadcast).
For Citizen Movements and Organizations:
- Do not rely on a right to air; instead use PR, media work, and social media.
- Document your positions in written form to facilitate access to publications.
For the UBI:
- Develop clearer standards for operationalizing balance in voting report coverage.
- Review consistency between earlier decisions (e.g., RKI Files) and new cases.
Indicators to Monitor:
- Further complaints regarding voting report coverage
- Consistency of UBI decisions in similar cases
- Reactions by broadcasters to the decisions
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements verified: UBI voting results (6:1, 4:3, 4:3) confirmed
- [x] Petition data (45,000 signatories) taken from original text
- [x] Personnel changes verified: Edy Salmina, Manuel Bertschi, Oliver Sidler, Flavia Buchli
- [x] Vote date (November 24, 2024) and broadcast date (August 6, 2025) verified
- [x] No political bias detected; presentation neutral and fact-based
Additional Research
⚠️ Note: No additional sources provided in metadata. The following research areas could be helpful as supplements:
- Official UBI website for complete decision justifications
- Earlier "RKI Files" case (April 2025) for comparison of jurisprudence
- Statements by SRF, RTS on the decisions
- Reactions from citizen movements and media associations
Sources
Primary Source:
Press Release from the Independent Complaints Office for Broadcasting (UBI) – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/evL0kK45nkHAspbnP22BE (February 2, 2026)
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on February 2, 2026
Footer (Transparency Notice)
This text was created with assistance from Claude.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: February 2, 2026