No Appeal against the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television for the Association against Factory Farming

Facts

The Association against Factory Farming Switzerland (VgT) had filed a complaint against a broadcast by Swiss television, in which the application to abolish the statutory maximum livestock numbers was discussed. The Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (UBI) rejected the complaint. The VgT appealed to the FSCA, which did not consider the appeal.

The parties involved were the Association against Factory Farming Switzerland (VgT), SRG SSR idée suisse Swiss Radio and Television Company, and the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (UBI). The case was decided on February 21, 2008.

The VgT had argued that the broadcast violated the programming provisions and that the UBI had violated its right to be heard. However, the FSCA decided that the VgT was not entitled to file the appeal, as it was not in a special, notable relationship to the dispute.

Considerations

The FSCA examines ex officio and with free cognition whether and to what extent an appeal is to be considered. The requirements for standing must be met, and the appellant must be more affected than anyone else and be in a special, notable relationship to the dispute.

The VgT had not demonstrated how it was entitled to file the appeal. The FSCA decided that the VgT was not in a special, notable relationship to the dispute, as it had only generally committed…