Swiss broadcasters now identify nationalities of criminals | EUROtoday

It is a break with a long-standing apply: Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) will now all the time point out the nationality of criminals, stories the Swiss newspaper “Blick”. According to its personal assertion, the general public media firm needs to adapt to “realities”.

“As with other topics, we want and must report as precisely and transparently as possible. That is why it is important to also mention the nationality of the perpetrators and victims,” ​​the revised tips now say. This creates transparency and prevents hypothesis, rumors or false data.

So far, the SRF has avoided mentioning nationality generally. According to the previous tips, it ought to solely be mentioned if it was important in reference to the crime, for instance within the case of an honor killing or a “justified public interest” within the background of the perpetrator. According to the newspaper, the explanation for the reluctance was the danger of selling prejudice. A spokeswoman advised “Blick” that the change within the tips was now an “adaptation to journalistic realities”.

Apparently the ombudsman’s workplace of the Swiss radio and tv firm SRG additionally put stress on the matter, which found a violation of the precept of equity virtually two years in the past. At that point, the SRF didn’t identify the nationality of the perpetrator throughout a hostage state of affairs within the canton of Vaud.

Swiss politicians are discussing the naming of nationalities in crimes

The naming of nationalities in crimes in neighboring international locations is now additionally a problem in politics. In September 2024, National Councilor Benjamin Fischer of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) submitted a parliamentary initiative calling for a change to the Code of Criminal Procedure.

According to the initiative, the police ought to in future be required to state the age, gender and nationality of perpetrators and suspects when informing the general public. Fischer argues that there’s a reputable public curiosity in complete and clear data.

Parliament’s Legal Affairs Commission voted towards the initiative in July 2025 by a vote of 15 to 9. Nevertheless, the controversy has intensified since then. The modified SRF tips are a consequence of this.

The SRF just isn’t a state broadcaster, however an organization of the Swiss Radio and Television Company, which is organized as a non-public affiliation. It is financed primarily by way of payment cash.