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

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.