33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?

Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (2008), 'SWISS CONFEDERATION FEDERAL ELECTIONS 21 October 2007 - OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Report'; Warsaw' (Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2007) Swiss Confederation, Federal Elections 21 October 2007, OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report 19-22 June 2007)

'Parallel to statutory norms, the public service broadcasting SRG and its enterprise units have elaborated on a number of principles that must inform their editorial coverage. In addition, on the occasion of Federal elections, the SRG SSR General Directorate issued detailed instructions on election coverage for its enterprise units. The instructions set forth the principles and rules informing both election-related and non-election programmes. Consistent with the jurisprudence of the Federal Tribunal, the instructions defined the criteria for the allocation of airtime to candidates during debates and presentations of political parties: access was guaranteed on a proportional basis, according to parliamentary representation at Federal or Cantonal level and the number of candidates lists submitted in different cantons. (OSCE 2008, p 12)'