The News Media Landscape: An overview of the context of Press Freedom and Regulation in Switzerland

The News Media Landscape: An Overview of the Context of Press Freedom and Regulation in Switzerland examines the structure, regulation and cultural context of journalism in Switzerland. The report was produced as part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project Defining Freedom of the Press: A Cross-National Examination of Press Ethics and Regulation, which explores and compares systems of press freedom and ethics across a range of European democracies. It outlines constitutional protections for freedom of expression, Switzerland’s distinctive federal system and multilingual media environment, and the regulatory and self-regulatory structures governing print, broadcast and online journalism. The report analyses the Swiss media landscape, focusing on media ownership, consolidation, public service broadcasting and market pressures. It also examines audience news consumption, levels of public trust and the growth of digital-only outlets. Further sections explore journalism culture, professional norms, and challenges linked to digitalisation and political debate. The report provides a detailed national case study designed to inform comparative research on press regulation, ethics and media freedom within democratic systems.