⏱ 2 min read
Background
Swiss regional newsrooms are making more and more cuts, and several cantons are looking at ways to support their media. Some French-speaking cantons fund the Keystone-ATS news agency. The canton of Neuchâtel is home to the daily Arcinfo, Canal Alpha television and RTN radio, among others.
The key points
The Neuchâtel Council of State published on Thursday 12 November 2026 a media support plan focused on training journalists. It rules out any direct aid, in the name of press independence, as well as funding for Keystone-ATS.
From 2028, the canton would cover a third of the salary of up to two trainee journalists per media outlet, for 24 months. The plan also provides for more commercial and advertising partnerships between the State and regional media. The media concerned consider these amounts insufficient.
Key figures
- 190,000 francs : maximum amount of the support plan per year
- 36,666 francs : maximum annual support per outlet employing two trainees
- 55,000 francs : approximate annual salary of a trainee journalist
- 80,000 francs : additional commercial and advertising partnerships
What it means for businesses
- Arcinfo, Canal Alpha and RTN : support linked to training trainees, with no direct aid
Who says what
- Frédéric Mairy (President of the Council of State): the canton wants to offer “a little breathing space”, as answers lie at federal or international level
- Jacques Matthey (Director of Arcinfo): the amounts remain symbolic given the urgency
What's next
- The Neuchâtel Grand Council will decide on the plan
- The Vaud Grand Council is due to debate press support during the week of 16 November 2026
Further reading
Sources
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