Context
Swiss media corporations will no longer be able to avoid returning profits generated from campaigns that violate personality rights.
The ruling Jolanda Spiess secured against Ringier is not yet legally binding. However, endless tabloid smear campaigns, as experienced first-hand, are a thing of the past now that it is clear profits can be reclaimed retroactively.
How painful this decision is for the media industry, which has never distanced itself from its lucrative tabloid operations, is demonstrated by the ongoing attempts to discredit and defame Jolanda Spiess through cross-corporation measures. A journalist who conducted a "research project" on the Zug Landammann reception "on behalf of" Tamedia has since been convicted of defamation – knowingly lying and deliberately making false claims – multiple times in two instances (second instance, not final).
Proceedings against the Tamedia author and against various internet fringe figures who have united in media-fuelled hatred against Jolanda Spiess are still ongoing. Peace will likely only come once the profit disgorgement proceedings, which continue to drag on due to delaying tactics particularly by the media corporations, are concluded or a genuine settlement is reached.
Engagement, recognition, and new paths
For her commitment against hate speech and the founding of the organization #NetzCourage, Jolanda Spiess was awarded the Ida Somazzi Prize and the FemBizSwiss Award in 2021. Today she advises victims of media power abuse through Winkelried & Töchter GmbH and develops smart tools for legal documentation, research, and analysis – including for law firms. When she is not conducting proceedings, she cheers with her family for VfL Bochum – a club that never gives up.
Anyone engaged in a public and legal confrontation with the largest Swiss media houses cannot expect fair coverage of themselves or the ongoing proceedings. Those seeking an overview of the details of the individual proceedings, rulings, and documents can find them in the updated case dossiers below.
