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Harassment and intimidation issue: Swiss French-speaking television (RTS) is now also under political pressure. Image: keystone
Sexual harassment in the RTS: now the Minister of Media Sommaruga intervenes
The Federal President emphasizes: Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace is the responsibility of the company management.
Federal President and Media Minister Simonetta Sommaruga speaks for the first time on the issue of harassment and intimidation on French-speaking Swiss Television (RTS). She was personally briefed by the chairman of the SRG board of directors, Jean-Michael Cina, about the investigations that the board of directors is now initiating. Sommaruga’s communications chief Annetta Bundi confirmed this at the request of CH Media.
“Federal President Sommaruga is pleased that the Board of Directors has commissioned investigations, including an external one on responsibilities,” explains Bundi. Sommaruga “will discuss the next steps with the SRG” on the occasion of the next talks.
Sommaruga shows with his statement that he is personally addressing the problem in Geneva. From the department it is heard that they reacted with concern to the investigation of the newspaper “Le Temps”.
The newspaper had written ten days ago that there had been sexual harassment and intimidation for years on television in French-speaking Switzerland. The superiors did not clarify the cases thoroughly; a “culture of silence” prevailed at the station. From 2001 to 2017, the head of RTS was Gilles Marchand, current CEO of SRG.
Moderator Darius Rochebin is charged with sexual harassment. Image: sda
Sommaruga now indicates that he will intervene directly in public broadcasting if he deems it necessary. “Federal President Sommaruga will decide how to proceed, knowing the results of the investigation,” explains her spokesperson Bundi. The SRG is currently clarifying whether RTS superiors had reacted appropriately to employee complaints. In addition, the radio and television company verifies whether the internal system for reporting cases of harassment is working.
Annetta Bundi emphasizes that Federal President Sommaruga condemns all forms of harassment and intimidation in the workplace. “The SRG has a role model role, and it is the responsibility of company management to prevent sexual harassment.”
The final sentence of the statement can be read as a warning to Marchand. If the investigation concludes that, as head in Geneva, you did not react professionally enough to employee complaints, the media minister would be faced with the question: does SRG need a new CEO?
Bernard Rappaz, editor-in-chief of RTS, is handing over his role to deputy until the investigation is closed. Two other pictures at the station have been suspended. The moderator Darius Rochebin, against whom the employees also file complaints, has announced a lawsuit against the daily “Le Temps” for defamation. (aargauerzeitung.ch)
