The Institute of Italian Studies in defence of RSI, a pillar of cultural identity in Italian-speaking Switzerland

In view of of the federal vote on the "200 francs is enough" initiative scheduled for 8 March, the Institute of Italian Studies (ISI) at Università della Svizzera italiana has issued a statement reaffirming the crucial role of Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana (RSI) in defending and promoting the Italian language and culture in Switzerland.

An initial position was expressed by writer and professor Fabio Pusterla in an article published in Corriere del Ticino, in which he emphasises how RSI represents one of the main cultural institutions in our region. Pusterla highlights the vital role RSI plays in supporting music, cinema, theatre, literature, sports, and local initiatives. Additionally, he notes the recognised quality of its journalism, which is often cited as a model of balance, sobriety, and reliability. In this context, Pusterla warns that support in Ticino for the “200 Francs Is Enough” initiative would pose a concrete risk of weakening one of the major cultural enterprises of Italian-speaking Switzerland, with potential consequences for employment and institutions.

This reflection is accompanied by an official statement from the Directorate of the Institute of Italian Studies, signed by Professors Stefano Prandi and Sara Garau, which has also been published in the press. In the statement, the Institute of Italian Studies emphasises that a strong and active RSI (Radiotelevisione Svizzera di lingua italiana) is crucial not only for the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland but also for maintaining the country's federal and democratic balance. The statement highlights that the current national distribution framework is particularly beneficial for the Swiss Italian-speaking region, making any reduction in public service broadcasting in exchange for minimal savings both unreasonable and self-defeating.

The ISI directorate emphasises the established partnership between the Institute and RSI, which is supported by a rich collection of archives and the professionalism of its staff. This partnership has also provided students with valuable training, internships, and job opportunities. In this context, the reduction in the license fee poses a serious threat to university education and the availability of skilled employment. Lastly, ISI supports the Science for Public Service initiative, which has been endorsed by more than a thousand university professors across Switzerland in favour of public service.

With these statements, the USI Institute of Italian Studies intends to publicly reaffirm the importance of the 8 March vote and emphasise how it concerns an essential common good: the vitality of Italian culture in Switzerland, the quality of information, and the role of public service in the federal democratic system.