SRF remains indispensable for the future of music
We note with great concern the decision by SRF to discontinue the program "Musik unserer Zeit" (Music of Our Time) as of January 2026. For decades, this format was an important part of the broadcaster's cultural mandate: it showcased contemporary music in all its diversity and created spaces for creative expression.
We acknowledge the considerable pressure to cut costs that SRF is under – caused by declining commercial revenues, the politically mandated reduction of the media license fee, and changing media consumption habits. However, public service broadcasting does not have a primarily commercial mission, but rather its role is to bring the breadth of cultural creation to an audience.
Supporting contemporary music is crucial: it arises from the work of creative individuals who respond to current events with new soundscapes, thereby shaping the cultural heritage of tomorrow. It creates spaces for encounter, exchange, and reflection – and strengthens social cohesion in a free, democratic society.
We emphasize the importance of promoting contemporary music and sophisticated cultural formats for Switzerland as a center for music, research, and culture. We therefore appeal to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the political establishment to shape the scope of action for public broadcasting in such a way that it can fulfill its cultural responsibility even under difficult conditions.
Signatures:
Board and management of the Basel Sinfonietta with Principal Conductor, Titus Engel;
Andreas Eduardo Frank and Johanna Schweizer, Gare du Nord Basel;
Christoph Bösch, Ensemble Phönix Basel;
Heinz Holliger, composer;
Helena Winkelman, composer and artistic director of the Camerata Variabile Basel;
Benedikt von Peter, director of Theater Basel;
Aviel Cahn, director general, Grand Théâtre de Genève
; Matthias Schulz, director of Zurich Opera House
; Dr. Thomas Gartmann, Head of Research, Bern University of the Arts;
Rico Gubler, Head of Music Department, Bern University of the Arts;
Wolfram Heberle, Head of Theatre Department, Bern University of the Arts;
Marc Kilchenmann, Lecturer in Didactics, Improvisation-Composition, Bern University of the Arts;
Christian Pauli, pakt bern - das neue musik netzwerk
ensemble proton Bern;
Matthias Arter, Andri Hardmeier, Collegium Novum Zürich;
Mark Sattler, Lucerne Festival;
Elke Lohmann, Bern Music Festival
; Javier Hagen, Ensemble UMS'nJIP, Artistic Director, Festival for New Music Forum Wallis, President IGNM-VS, Board Member SME;
Lucas Niggli and Marino Pliakas, steamboat switzerland;
Dieter Ammann, Composer;
Nik Bärtsch, Composer;
Oscar Bianchi, Composer;
Jannik Giger, Composer;
Klaus Händl, Writer;
Isabel Mundry, Composer;
Matthias Walpen, Musician;
Michael Wertmüller, Composer;
Marcus Weiss, Saxophonist
