• Thursday, 19 December 2024

Swiss voters asked whether media outlets should get state subsidies

Swiss voters asked whether media outlets should get state subsidies
Four referenda are being held in Switzerland on Sunday, one of which will ask voters to decide on whether media companies should receive state subsidies. Under the proposal, publishers would get support for the delivery of newspapers and magazines, while online media would receive money directly under certain conditions. The Swiss public was fairly split on the issue in recent polls. In another referendum, voters are being asked whether to introduce a stricter ban on tobacco advertising. This is likely to be approved, according to the polls. A third proposal, a radical ban on animal testing, is thought to be a lost cause. The same was true for the proposed abolition of stamp duty, a tax paid by companies when issuing shares or raising equity capital. Proponents of the idea say it would encourage investment. Polling stations are set to close at 12 pm (1100 GMT). However, more than 90% of voters now participate by post. Turnout in Swiss referenda rarely exceeds 60%. Around 5.4 million people are eligible to vote.