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The malaise in the SRF newsroom is great. As BLICK reported yesterday, the national editorial team wrote a protest letter to Editor-in-Chief Tristan Brenn (54) and SRF Director Nathalie Wappler (52) and called for an analysis to improve the problematic working conditions. These are apparently unacceptable. In the letter she says: “Too often we feel restricted by decisions made as critical journalists, ignored as engaged editors and restricted as motivated employees.” In the newsroom, this leads to “a sense of external control and a lack of creative freedom.” Bad moods are also the reason for outings, “especially from talented and team-spirited colleagues.”
An employee’s information from last weekend couldn’t smooth the waves – quite the contrary! In front of BLICK, the people directly involved, who want to remain anonymous, address complaints that go far beyond the details described in the email. On the one hand, there are criticisms of “opaque structures leading to a bitter trench warfare between the old guard and younger, Internet-savvy colleagues.”
“Excess of people in managerial positions”
Basically, there is also criticized an “excess of people in pseudo-management positions who are in charge of planning and coordination”. The result is “too many time-consuming meetings and agreements.” As a result, the actual journalistic craft is neglected and there is no time for investigation and background. Resources that are urgently needed for the core business would “increasingly migrate to questionable activities on social media,” of which no one can even estimate the benefits to some degree.
This is due to the “breakdown of previously familiar structures.” Many of the individual formats no longer have fixed equipment. For this, there are specialized editors who have to record multiple channels and shows, which makes it difficult to keep an overview and encourages duplication. The result is a “general change of mood and a permanent feeling of insecurity.”
“A poisoned work environment”
The structural upheaval has “shaken the structure and weakened the former cohesion in the team.” Along with the job cuts announced for this fall, a work environment has emerged that is described as “poisoned.” Ensures that many ideas are avoided, journalistic efficiency is in question.
In their protest, entitled “Appeal,” the editors demand that SRF conduct a “proper and cost-effective analysis.” The aim is “to assess current newsroom structures on an empirical basis, independent of role and person.”
29 employees signed the letter, including well-known faces of moderation such as Andrea Vetsch (45), Bigna Silberschmidt (35), Katharina Locher (33) and Michael Weinmann (38).
SSM media union is alarmed
The SSM media union is also concerned about the unrest. “We work closely with employees and have noticed a lot of discontent in the newsroom,” confirms a spokeswoman. “For a long time, many employees have felt ignored and not taken seriously. During the months at headquarters, these problems took a back seat. No wonder the situation is on fire again. “
To find out the situation, the union conducted a survey in which 190 of the approximately 200 employees of the newsroom participated. “Among other things, we found that 75 percent of employees feel that their views receive little or no attention. That’s a huge number. “Two weeks ago there was a conversation with the personnel department.” SRF is also interested in a solution and was very open to our suggestions. ”
At BLICK’s request, SRF’s media office is reluctant, saying only: “The editor-in-chief is thinking about future structures. To this end, important guardrails and framework conditions will be defined in the coming weeks. Detailed development and implementation are carried out in close collaboration with newsroom staff. “
Newsroom unrest is not the only serious problem SRF Director Nathalie Wappler faces (52). These are her other great construction sites:
The first broadcasts from the expensive new sports and news center will arrive in mid-2021 at the earliest, as announced by the SRF in early September. The opening of the studios has already been postponed: from fall 2019 to spring 2020. The center is “the most technically complex project SRF has ever implemented.”
Will the digital transformation be successful? Can you reach the young audience again? The transformation project “SRF 2024” presented this August, which involves 100 employees, includes a greater presence of own offers on third-party platforms such as Instagram and YouTube and, in general, more intensive information through digital channels.
What about Saturday night? Viewers have long awaited a new entertainment format that is repeated regularly. Ironically, the guaranteed share Röbi Koller (62) takes the place with “Happy Day”. The series “It happened in …” could not really be established.
Susanne Wille (46) has been head of culture for about 100 days. It must guarantee a reliable serial supply. The void created by the hiring of the “undertaker” has not really been filled. And how long will the publicity about “Wilder” with Sarah Spale (40) and Marcus Signer (56) last.
When will the revised edition of the long-announced “Glanz & Gloria” people show finally arrive? After taking office, Wappler promised more depth and themes in addition to the champagne and salmon rolls.
Sports rights are rocky ground. The SRF has financial limitations and cannot participate in all bidding contests, see the example “Champions League”.
The stars have become rare in Leutschenbach, the leap of crowd favorites like Nik Hartmann (48) hurts twice. Now the SRF is pushing newcomers like Fabienne Bamert (32) or “Divertimento” side starters Jonny Fischer (40) and Manu Burkart (42).
