Minorities, integration and the media: Media regulation and media performance in multicultural and multilingual Switzerland

1. Sara Signer
   1. University of Zurich, Switzerland

1. Manuel Puppis
   1. University of Zurich, Switzerland, m.puppis@ipmz.uzh.ch

1. Andrea Piga
   1. Swiss Television, Switzerland

Source

 doi: 10.1177/1748048511405818 International Communication Gazette August 2011 vol. 73 no. 5 419-439

Abstract

Due to intensifying processes of migration, more than 20 percent of Switzerland’s resident population are of foreign origin. In addition, the country is home to an indigenous minority and divided into different language regions. This article examines how the Swiss media landscape deals with these challenges. Looking at the issue of integration from different perspectives, both media regulation and media performance are analysed. On the one hand, a qualitative document analysis provides evidence that the integration of immigrant minorities is only a marginal subject in broadcasting regulation. On the other hand, a quantitative content analysis as well as surveys and focus group interviews with persons with a migratory background indicate that the media are not supporting their integration. When it comes to immigrant minorities, neither media regulation nor media performance reflect Switzerland’s tradition as a multicultural and multilingual country. 

Keywords

• broadcasting
• communication science
• content analysis
• integration
• media regulation
• migration
• minorities
• Switzerland

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