Switzerland

[CH] Publication of New National Legislation on Cinematographic Culture and Production

IRIS 2002-2:1/25

Patrice Aubry

RTS Radio Télévision Suisse, Geneva

On 28 December 2001 the Swiss Federal Council published new national legislation on cinematographic culture and production (Cinema Act - LCin). The wording of the Act is based on the Federal Council's Message published in September 2000, and takes into account the criticisms expressed by some of the parties concerned in the course of the consultation procedure (see IRIS 2001-1: 12).

The total revision of the Cinema Act of 28 September 1962 has been on the national policy agenda for more than twenty years. A number of bills have been abandoned, but a new bill was finally submitted to the consultation procedure in 1999 (see IRIS 2000-6: 10). The bill was welcomed by the majority of those consulted. The main divergences still remaining were eliminated by means of a statement published by the cinematographic sector as a whole on 7 August 2000 during the Locarno Film Festival.

The main aims of the new Act are firstly to encourage independence and evolution in cinematographic production and culture and secondly to foster variety and quality in what is offered, by means of appropriate measures and provisions. The Act is based on the principle that diversity in the output of the cinematographic sector is the true key to its quality.

The Cinema Act is subject to a non-compulsory referendum. If no referendum has been called for by 8 April 2002, the Federal Council will be able to set the date on which this new national legislation is to come into force.