Abstract

The Publishing Guidelines (Publizistische Leitlinien) is a paper issued by SRF (public service media broadcasting in German-speaking Switzerland) and aimed at SRF employees. The Guidelines define SRF’s journalistic self-image and record the quality criteria and standards by which the public service mission is to be fulfilled. They also offer a framework for journalistic work and decisions. The document is divided into a variety of sections: self-image (democracy, service public, diversity of opinion, emotions, dialogue, diversity and equality, etc.), topic choice, openness and dialogue with users, duty of care (sensitive matters, deadlines and forms). The sections also cover violence, war and disasters, the rights of the people depicted. They also concern transparency and handling of sources, dealing with artificial intelligence, research, principles of craftsmanship (good formulation, gender neutrality in texts, etc.), general rules of conduct, acceptance, use of contributions, and complaints, errors and lawsuits.