Guidelines for editorial and journalistic practice are established by the major national and international professional associations to which the majority of newspapers and professional journalists belong. These include the liberal Swiss Union of Journalists (Schweizerische Journalistinnen und Journalisten Union), and the oldest professional association, the Swiss Federation of Journalists (Schweizer Verband der Journalistinnen und Journalisten), whose members subscribe to a specific “Declaration of Rights and Duties of Journalists”. The Swiss Press Council (Schweizer Presserat) follows as well a policy of self-regulation based on standards of professional ethics that are laid down in the declaration mentioned above (www.presserat.ch/16310. htm) and its related guidelines (www.presserat.ch/16320.htm). The declaration emphasizes independence as a prerequisite for responsible journalistic action: “The right to information, to free speech and criticism is one of the basic human rights. The duties and rights of journalists derive from the public’s right to know facts and opinions. The responsibility of journalists towards the public has priority over any other responsibility, particularly the responsibility to their employers and the state organs.” Through its activities, the Press Council should contribute to public awareness of basic ethical problems within the media and stimulate editorial discussion of media ethics.
In addition, a variety of complaints procedures are available to deal with disputes: The Swiss Press Council (Schweizer Presserat) is the self-regulatory complaints authority that deals with media-related breaches of civil law.
The Swiss Press Council deals with complaints received regarding the print media. Furthermore, it can actively investigate issues related to the ethics of media and journalistic professionalism as well as matters of freedom of the press and opinion. However, the body does not operate on a permanent and continuous basis. All decisions of the Swiss Press Council are published on its website (www.presserat. ch). Important decisions are sent to the news agencies, major editorial offices as well as other parties involved. In this regard, the Press Council’s conclusions are made known to a wide public.
