Larissa M. Bieler to become Director of SWI swissinfo.ch
Graubünden native Larissa M. Bieler is to become Director of SWI in Bern as of 1 October 2018, in addition to her current role as Editor-in-Chief of SWI swissinfo.ch.
At its meeting on 19 September, the Board of Directors of SRG supported the proposal of Director General Gilles Marchand in appointing Larissa M. Bieler as the new Director of SWI swissinfo.ch, in addition to her current function as Editor-in-Chief. Her dual role has been made possible by a reorganisation of the SWI management team. Reto Gysi von Wartburg will be Larissa's Deputy Editor-in-Chief, while Peter Zschaler remains Deputy Director.
Larissa Bieler was appointed Editor-in-Chief of SWI swissinfo.ch in June 2015, and took up her post at the beginning of 2016. She has strengthened the thematic focus and international profile of the ten-language news platform by concentrating on core issues such as direct democracy, Geneva as an international hub, and Switzerland's global expertise. She has also built stronger ties with specific user groups by creating global communities. She has this to say about her role: "Switzerland is tightly networked around the world, helps to shape other countries, has influence, and yet still depends on other nations. SWI swissinfo allows us to make a name for ourselves with an independent Swiss view, and to create a strong journalistic position by providing reliable information".
Gilles Marchand: "I am delighted that, in Larissa Bieler, we have been able to secure the services of an experienced and extremely well-connected journalist as our new Director. She will continue to develop and enhance SRG's already well-established international service."
Larissa Bieler studied German, economics and politics at the University of Zurich. Both prior to and following studies in Paris and Mannheim, she worked as a freelance journalist for the Bündner Tagblatt and a range of other media in Canton Graubünden. In July 2013, Larissa became Editor-in-Chief of the Bündner Tagblatt, which she successfully repositioned thanks to a comprehensive restructuring programme.
For more than ten years now, SWI swissinfo.ch has been fulfilling the federal government's international news and current affairs remit, thus complementing the online services provided by SRG's radio and television stations. SWI swissinfo principally targets an international audience with an interest in Switzerland, as well as the Swiss expatriate community abroad. The platform offers a specifically Swiss world view, and the Swiss perspective on international events and developments. It also reflects the international view of Switzerland and its positions. SWI content focuses on politics, business, the arts, society and science. SWI swissinfo.ch has offices in Bern (head office), Geneva and Zurich. Further jobs are located in the production centre at the federal parliament building in Bern.
SRG SSR Media Relations
Edi Estermann
Medienstelle.srg(at)srgssr.ch / Tel. 031 350 95 95
