Half the fees, jeopardizing the whole – No to the destruction of basic media services
The Basel Cultural Policy Network strongly opposes the so-called "halving initiative." What is ostensibly sold as financial relief actually attacks the very foundations of our democratic society.
Attack on democratic judgment
This initiative jeopardizes one of the cornerstones of our democracy: independent reporting. It is the state's duty to guarantee free education and free art, but above all, a free press. Halving the SRG (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation) fees will not result in half the programming, but will endanger the entire system. The current geopolitical climate demonstrates almost daily how crucial a functioning, independent public service broadcaster is. It is the best possible counterweight to the power of the stronger and to targeted disinformation.
Cultural mission instead of commerce
The public broadcaster SRG has a mandate to showcase cultural creation in all its breadth and across all four language regions. We are already observing with concern where the pressure to cut costs is leading. It's not just individual program formats that are at risk. Halving the license fee would have far more drastic consequences, jeopardizing the existence of entire sectors – such as film production – and severely threatening in-depth cultural reporting, particularly from the smaller language regions. Culture is not a luxury; it is the heritage of tomorrow and creates indispensable spaces for reflection and social cohesion.
Appeal from the Basel Cultural Policy Network
The SRG remains indispensable for the future of our democracy and for social and cultural dialogue in Switzerland. The Basel Cultural Policy Network appeals to voters to oppose this drastic cut and to reject the halving initiative with a clear NO vote on March 8th.
February 4, 2026
To the association «Network for Cultural Policy Basel»
The "Basel Cultural Policy Network" emerged in late summer 2020 from the committee "For a Sustainable Cultural Partnership BS/BL". The network sees itself as a proactive cultural policy lobby group that connects its members, gives them a common voice, and represents their interests to politicians as well as to other associations and organizations.
Members include:
• Basel Sinfonietta
• Basel Madrigalists
• Basel Marionette Theatre
• Ensemble Phoenix Basel
• Gare du Nord
• Young Theatre Basel
• Basel Chamber Orchestra
• Kaserne Basel
• KlangLab
• Basel Cultural Office
• La Cetra Basel
• Literature Basel
• New Theatre Dornach
• Basel Music Office
• Roxy Birsfelden
• Basel Symphony Orchestra
• Basel City Cinema
• The Bird's Eye Jazz Club
• Theatre Basel
• Suburban Theatre Basel
Contact for inquiries
Chantal Bernstein
