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The former general director of the SSR Armin Walpen is calling for a “political heavyweight” to succeed Gilles Marchand at the head of the public service company. In an interview with Sonntagsblick, he suggests a tour from the bourgeois camp.
“There is a lack of political networking on the institutional side of the SSR,” says Armin Walpen, 75, general director of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SSR) from 1996 to 2010. The aim of the initiative was to reduce radio and television fees by 335 to 200 francs each year endanger the existence of the SSR, emphasizes Mr. Walpen.
The problem with SSR is not a lack of know-how, he continues. “But today we absolutely need someone who manages to take dialogue and criticism seriously and defend themselves against attacks.”
According to Mr. Walpen, a “heavyweight” from the ranks of the SVP would be ideal. It could also be a PLR. And to quote party leader Thierry Burkart or Lucerne Councilor of States Damian Müller.
‘Comfort zone’
Mr. Walpen criticizes the current board of the SSR: “Apart from President Jean-Michel Cina, do you know a board member who has ever come forward and who is also little known in the country?”‘.
The members of the board are “more political lightweights”. The same applies to the regional associations: “These are people who probably don’t like leaving their comfort zone.” Although, in my opinion, that’s exactly what they’re there for. The body responsible for the SSR needs to be fundamentally reformed, adds Walpen.
SSR Director General Gillles Marchand, who has been in office since 2017, announced on Thursday that he will take early retirement by the beginning of 2025 at the latest. The company wants to prepare itself for the debates about media policy in the coming years with new leadership. In addition to the initiative to reduce the license fee, these are the negotiations on the new concessions in 2027 and the decisions in 2028.
/ATS
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