Gifts and perks can lead to loyalty and gratitude: SBC employees therefore do not accept any gifts that could compromise their professional independence and credibility. In principle, we maintain professional distance from people, events and companies. We avoid any appearance of bias.

We therefore do not accept invitations to trips, excursions and stays that are offered to us free of charge or at reduced rates. If an invitation gives us access that would otherwise be denied to us, but which we would like to use for important journalistic reasons, we cover the costs ourselves.

Gifts may be accepted if they are small tokens of appreciation that would be rude or disproportionate to refuse. In general, the value of gifts in kind and services should not exceed 100 Swiss francs. The acceptance of cash is prohibited in all cases. (See also the document ‘Corruption prevention at SBC – Guidelines on the acceptance and granting of gifts and other benefits (SBC anti-corruption guidelines’)).

Services from third parties, such as invitations to premieres and other social events, may be accepted with the consent of the line manager. Anyone who is placed on guest lists on a long-term basis must also obtain the approval of their manager.

We only mention services, restaurants, hotels, sponsors, events, hashtags, posts, etc. in our content if this is journalistically necessary and justifiable (see also 4.12 Mentioning brand names and 11.9 Private activities on the internet).

If third parties wish to support SBC’s programmes with goods or services, the sponsorship managers and departmental management must be involved.