Leaflet supporting initiative to make multi-national companies responsible "for their errant ways" ruffles feathers

A leaflet left in mail-boxes across the country asking for people to make a financial contribution to those behind an initiative to make multi-national companies, and their subsidiaries, more responsible for their actions, has annoyed SRF, the Swiss Radio and TV service, and no doubt the Glencore mining and commodity-trading company, too.

The leaflet, which comes with a printed paying-in slip, asks for donations of CHF 25.00, CHF 60.00 or CHF 100.00 or more to help those behind the campaign pay for leaflets and posters to advertise it, as they point out the errant ways of multi-national companies.

This particular leaflet criticised the Baar-based Glencore mining and commodity trading company for having polluted the air around copper mines in Zambia for the past 20 years with sulphur dioxide, leading to deaths and pulmonary disease among the local population. The leaflet explained the levels of air pollution there were up to 77 times higher than those deemed safe by the World Health Organisation.

If the initiative is accepted, it would mean companies such as Glencore would be held responsible for their actions for their overseas activities, too. It was mentioned how such companies were spending millions fighting the initiative, hence the call for funds for those supporting it, such as this one, signed by Dick Marty, a former member of the Council of States in Bern and co-chairman of the initiative’s committee.

What has annoyed the SRF is that the brochure features a photograph of Nicole Frank, the presenter of a TV programme. According to SRF guidelines, presenters are not allowed to loan support for campaigns such as this one, independence being one of SRF’s core values. Upon investigation, it turned out those behind the initiative used the photograph of her without her permission, In the meantime, curious recipients of the leaflet had been wanting to know if the SRF supported the initiative.

Tom Cassee, a spokesman of those behind the initiative, said he thought no permission had been needed to use the photograph, especially as it was clear as portrayed on the leaflet that it was merely a screenshot.