Pro Senectute Opposes the Halving Initiative

With the demographic change, the number of very elderly people is increasing, along with the need for fact-based information on topics such as health, digitalization, or societal change," explains Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Pro Senectute Switzerland. The SRG's platforms significantly contribute to this need and are therefore indispensable for the elderly. They give them a voice and mediate between generations, which is important in times of increasing media polarization between the young and old. For Pro Senectute, it is clear: a public service that reaches everyone is not a given - but a value that must be protected. For this reason, Pro Senectute opposes the Halving Initiative.

Ensuring information justice

According to the study Digital Seniors 2025 by Pro Senectute Switzerland, 11 percent of people of retirement age are offline. Many very elderly individuals have only limited digital skills. For these people, radio and television remain central to obtaining information. A drastic reduction in financial support would endanger the information supply of many seniors. "The dissemination of information via SRG channels guarantees that all generations have access to high-quality information, regardless of age, income, or technical affinity," says Widmer-Schlumpf. Unlike the SRG, purely commercial providers focus primarily on reach and target group appeal. Older people are not part of their core target group - their information needs would be neglected. "A strong public service remains indispensable to ensure information justice in an aging society," emphasizes Widmer-Schlumpf.

Strengthening local engagement and cultural diversity

Especially for older people, local engagement in reporting is important so that they feel connected to their region. "A massive budget cut to the SRG would hit local programs and unifying formats in the areas of culture, education, and health particularly hard," says Widmer-Schlumpf. Furthermore, the SRG ensures that information is accessible without barriers through radio, television, and online. For this reason, Pro Senectute also welcomes the recent decision by SRG to distribute its radio programs via FM again.

Press contact:
Pro Senectute Switzerland,
Peter Burri Follath, Head of Communications
Telephone 044 283 89 43, medien@prosenectute.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Pro Senectute Schweiz / Photographer: Sarahí Salazar-Kummer