Social issues

Where has investigative journalism gone?

Journalists during the coronavirus pandemic

by Sonja L. Bauer, head of the editorial team at “Berner Landbote”*

(3 May 2024) (CH-S) In the following presentation, journalist Sonja Laurèle Bauer analyses the role of the media, especially editors, during the coronavirus pandemic. She gave this slightly abridged presentation in Bern at the symposium “Corona – Fakes & Facts” on 6/7 April 2024. What demands can be placed on good journalism and what was lacking during the pandemic.

Without dialogue no security

“Corona-era” – urgent need of clarification

by Dr med. Sabine Vuilleumier*

(26 April 2024) The message of the symposium was clear: the next unknown pathogen must be dealt with in a scientifically sound and humane way. This applies even following its emergence, when much is still unknown in terms of its spread potential, transmission routes, danger to humans and treatment options. To achieve this goal, a thorough analysis of the past “corona-era” is urgently needed. What was done well can be retained, what was excessive or even harmful must be handled differently in the interests of all.

Germany

Manifesto for a “new public service broadcaster”

(19 April 2024) (Ed. CH-S) The public broadcasters ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio are in turmoil and criticism of the media giants, which are compulsorily financed by the public, is growing louder. Viewers and listeners are deserting them and turning to other media.

Is it so much different at Swiss Radio and Television SRF? Here, too, we only hear “filtered” and framed information and standardised opinions on the key issues of our time. “Nudging” is intended to coax us as media consumers towards the thinking desired by the media makers. In Germany, a group of employees of these media companies is now calling for a “new public service broadcasting”.

Questionable cascades of reforms in schools

Children are expected to choose their own educational goals

by Christine Staehelin*

(12 April 2024) Amid the current education debate – initiated by the Association of Head Teachers and Principals, followed by the Swiss Teachers’ Association LCH and various “school modernisers” – there is also talk of learning landscapes, individualised teaching and learning coaches. For teacher Christine Staehelin in Basel, this is an indication of a helplessness as to what the actual task of the school is.
Switzerland

„Schools are saturated with ideology“

The new Syllabus for high schools wants to improve the world. Critics warn of indoctrination, and some cantons have already expressed opposition

by Nadja Pastega, Journalist at the SonntagsZeitung

(5 April 2024) Reading, writing and arithmetic are no longer enough. Schools are getting more and more tasks. The draft for a new framework Syllabus is now available for the Swiss A-level schools. It is 136 pages long. In an earlier version there were even 400 pages.
Germany

Taurus threatens us all

No delivery, no further war escalation!

Craftsmen for Peace,* Dessau-Rosslau

(5 April 2024) With French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement not to rule out the use of NATO troops and plans by some hardliners to use Taurus cruise missiles against Russia, war in Donbass looms to expand in Europe. Whatever the opinion on this war, facts remain the same for both supporters and opponents of Taurus missiles’ delivery: