The Swiss Game Developers Association is opposing the cuts to Swiss Radio and TV association SRG in an upcoming initiative vote on 8 March. SGDA states that the games industry will suffer from reduced resources in Switzerland's culture reporting.
The Swiss Game Developers Association (SGDA) has issued a statement against cuts to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (Schweizerische Radio- und Fernsehgesellschaft (SRG SSR). The statement aims at a Swiss initiative that is held among all those elligible to vote in Switzerland at 8 March, to reduce the cost of the SRG to 200 Francs per person (about 219€), down from currently 335 Francs (about 367€).
SGDA says that reducing the the funding of the SRG would not only affect the radio and TV landscape, but the games industry in Switzerland as well. “A strong Swiss gaming ecosystem benefits from an effective SRG. It raises awareness of games among the general public and in politics, thereby strengthening their cultural and economic significance. Halving funding would significantly weaken this effect – and thus also Switzerland's position as a center of innovation”, the position of the SGDA states.
The statement of SGDA in full:
“NO to the harmful SRG Initiative on March 8, which would have far-reaching consequences for the cultural landscape and the Swiss game industry.
The initiative proposes reducing the current household fee to 200 Swiss francs and exempting companies from the obligation to pay. This would significantly reduce the SRG's funding, which would have a direct impact on its services, its reporting, and the visibility of socially relevant issues. Swiss game developers would also be affected.
Cost-cutting measures at SRG are already a reality due to political requirements. Fewer resources lead to reduced offerings, the reduction or discontinuation of formats, and less diversity in reporting on various cultural areas. Gaming has also been affected by these cuts: digital offerings such as podcasts, reviews, weekly YouTube livestreams, and the maintenance of an active Discord community have been discontinued.
A strong Swiss gaming ecosystem benefits from an effective SRG. It raises awareness of games among the general public and in politics, thereby strengthening their cultural and economic significance. Halving funding would significantly weaken this effect – and thus also Switzerland's position as a center of innovation.
The SGDA therefore firmly rejects the SRG Initiative. It supports an independent and efficient SRG – for a diverse cultural landscape and the sustainable development of the Swiss gaming industry.”
