Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 2 days ago
SRF dismisses documentary filmmaker Karin Bauer after 32 years
Karin Bauer has worked for Swiss public broadcaster SRF for 32 years.
The broadcaster says her dismissal is part of a cost-cutting and restructuring programme, not because of her journalism.
Her recent film about housing shortages in Zurich drew criticism, and three complaints about it are still pending.
SRF denies that political pressure played a role in its decision.
SRF has dismissed documentary filmmaker Karin Bauer after 32 years at the Swiss broadcaster as part of its Enavant savings and transformation programme.
SRF says the decision was not based on the content of Bauer’s work and rejects a link between her dismissal and political pressure.
Bauer’s documentary about housing shortages in Zurich was broadcast on 22 January during the city’s election campaign and drew criticism from the Zurich FDP.
The broadcasting ombudsman rejected nine complaints about the film in March, while three complaints remain before the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television, which is due to decide on 29 October.
Long-serving radio foreign affairs chief Susanne Brunner is also leaving SRF after 40 years; about 120 radio employees protested the decision in a letter.
- Who
- SRF documentary filmmaker Karin Bauer
- What
- SRF dismissed Bauer as part of its Enavant savings and transformation programme.
- When
- Reported on 10 October 2026; Bauer’s housing documentary aired on 22 January.
- Where
- Switzerland; the disputed documentary concerned housing shortages in Zurich.
- Why
- SRF cited its savings and transformation programme, not the content of Bauer’s journalism.
SRF
Some SRF employees
Reason for Bauer’s departure
SRF
SRF says Bauer’s dismissal is part of the Enavant savings and transformation programme and is not related to the content of her work.
Some SRF employees
Some SRF employees reportedly suspect the broadcaster may be yielding to political pressure by dismissing Bauer.
Alleged influence by Susanne Wille
SRF
SRF said that Director General Susanne Wille did not push for Bauer’s dismissal.
Some SRF employees
The article reports that some employees have concerns about a possible connection to political pressure, but does not attribute a specific claim about Wille to them.
politisch extrem unausgewogen
Nein
Bauer began working at Swiss television.
Bauer received the European Civis Television Award in the information category for her documentary Der Asylchef und die Nigerianer.
Bauer’s documentary Wo-wo-Wohnungsnot – Das Zürcher Monopoly aired during Zurich’s city election campaign.
The broadcasting ombudsman rejected all nine complaints about the housing documentary.
The Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television is due to rule on three outstanding complaints about the documentary.
- Bauer’s time at SRF
- 32 years
- Bauer’s age
- 57
- Housing documentary broadcast
- 22 January
- Complaints rejected by the ombudsman
- 9
- Complaints pending before the UBI
- 3
- Radio employees who protested Brunner’s departure
- About 120
Sources
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