Switzerland’s largest media group strengthens dominant position
Switzerland’s largest media group, Zurich-based Tamedia, has struck a deal with one of the country’s most controversial politicians, Christoph Blocher. In exchange for passing some of its free local gazettes over to Blocher’s company, Tamedia will acquire the prestigious German-speaking newspaper Basler Zeitung (BaZ), previously co-owned by the Swiss People’s Party politician. “The integration of the Basler Zeitung into Tamedia’s network will enable a strong regional editorial team”, the Zurich publishing group announced on Wednesday. Media trade union syndicom said that Tamedia’s take-over of the long-established BaZ would allow the company to “expand its dominant position in the Swiss media even further”. Even without this addition, it said, 40% of Switzerland’s German-speaking daily press circulation is published by Tamedia; in French-speaking Switzerland this share is even higher, at 69%. + Learn more about Swiss people’s level of trust in their media + Read the ...