Observed Signal · Aug 22, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: persoenlich.com News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Meier + Cie: Siegrist Urges Media Funding Measures
On 22 August 2026 Nina Siegrist, Chair of the Executive Board at Meier + Cie. AG, published an open appeal asking for cantonal support for the Schaffhausen media market and a one‑off CHF 30,000 Lotteriefonds contribution for Schaffhauser Fernsehen. She backs two motions before the cantonal council — the Lotteriefonds payment and a roundtable of politics, business and media to develop longer‑term measures. Siegrist says the local broadcaster currently survives through ten private supporters covering an annual deficit (~CHF 50,000) and highlights an independent measurement of about 34,000 daily viewers. She attributes the sector crisis to structural change and ad spend shifting to US platforms, notes reliance on the Carl Oechslin Foundation and media funds, and points to a regional proposal to test tax privileges for advertising. A week earlier Marcel Kohler had made similar calls.
Local media funding appeal highlights advertiser revenue migration to US platforms and potential policy measures; relevant to regional publishers but not industry‑shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Nina Siegrist, Chair of the Executive Board of Meier + Cie. AG, called for cantonal media support and CHF 30,000 from the Lotteriefonds in an open letter.
- The Schaffhauser Cantonal Council will consider two motions (filed by SP and SVP): a one‑time CHF 30,000 Lotteriefonds payment for Schaffhauser Fernsehen and a roundtable to develop long‑term measures.
- Schaffhauser Fernsehen currently covers an annual deficit of around CHF 50,000 through ten private supporters; an independent measurement reports about 34,000 daily viewers.
- Meier + Cie. AG’s ability to cross‑subsidize local media relies on its majority shareholder, the Carl Oechslin Foundation, and on contributions from funds such as the Innovationsfonds für multimedialen Journalismus and the Media Forward Fund.
- Marcel Kohler, Chairman of the Board, made similar funding appeals in the Schaffhauser Nachrichten a week earlier.
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Meier + Cie Chief Backs Indirect Media Subsidies
Marcel Kohler, chairman of the Meier media house (Meier + Cie AG), discusses the fragile financial position of his company and regional media in an interview. He says Meier-Medienhaus remains profitable but with low earnings and notes Schaffhauser Fernsehen found sponsors after a recent rescue effort, though its long-term prospects are uncertain. Kohler, while skeptical of subsidies as a liberal, supports indirect media funding for Schaffhausen that excludes editorial interference and welcomes two postulates submitted to the cantonal council. He also cites a CHF 480,000 contribution for Schaffhausen from the Gebert Rüf Foundation via the Windler Foundation and warns that the majority owner, the Carl Oechslin Foundation, lacks substantial funds to cover recurring losses.
Roundtable to Tackle Schaffhausen Media Crisis
The Cantonal Council of Schaffhausen has demanded a round table to address the crisis facing regional media caused by falling advertising revenues and competition from global tech companies. The motion was declared significant by the council with 40 votes for, 7 against and 5 abstentions; it was submitted by Linda De Ventura (SP) and Markus Müller (SVP). The cantonal government said it is willing to engage but is critical of direct cantonal media subsidies because of media independence and competition-law concerns. The executive is open to examining indirect support measures and will present a report to the Cantonal Council outlining possible instruments and, if necessary, proposed legal changes.
Schawinski Urges Aid for Swiss Local Media
Roger Schawinski, founder of Radio 1, warns in a guest essay for the NZZ that Swiss local and regional media face an existential crisis as advertising revenues have collapsed. He says online advertising now yields only about 5% of former print revenues, paywalls have had little effect, free local papers have disappeared and consolidation in radio has thinned offerings. Schawinski calls on cantons, foundations and private patrons to provide targeted support for local media before regional outlets vanish; he notes some western cantons (Fribourg, Vaud, Geneva) already subsidize regional media. As an example, he reports Radio 1 now brings in about CHF 2.4 million annually and that he has not taken a salary as managing director.
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