Nebelspalter

About Nebelspalter

Independent, liberal journalism for Switzerland

Since 1875, the Nebelspalter has stood for a clear view where others spread fog. Politicians, civil servants, managers, or even journalists and scientists – all too often they shroud us in half-truths, platitudes, and obfuscations. We break through this fog. We seek the truth, investigate persistently and fairly, and hold those responsible to account – without destroying them. We expose without exaggeration. We are journalists through and through.

What we stand for:
Freedom is our guiding principle – free ideas, free markets, free people. We believe in the free will and responsibility of each individual. The more people can decide for themselves how they live their lives, the stronger and more vibrant a society becomes. That's why we passionately advocate open debates and the competition of ideas.
We are liberal – so clear that it cracks. We distrust the state when it overestimates itself and wants to regulate everything. We want a state that limits itself to the essentials and trusts its citizens. Because we are convinced: It is not the state that shapes its citizens, but the citizens that shape the state.

Swiss by conviction
The Nebelspalter is deeply rooted in Switzerland. For 150 years, we have accompanied this idiosyncratic, curious, but fascinating country – critically, but always with affection. We believe in the special case of Switzerland: more democracy, more participation, more responsibility for its citizens.

We are federalists: We value the small, manageable, and the diversity of its cantons and municipalities. No one governs Switzerland alone; everyone governs it together. This balance of power and counterweights is our foundation – and we defend it with passion.

Cosmopolitan and stubborn:
Switzerland thrives on exchange with the world. For centuries, it has been an open country – for ideas, for people, for trade. This mixture of openness and stubbornness has made us strong and prosperous. That's why we fight for free trade, for free borders in thought, and for a Switzerland that confidently preserves its distinctive characteristics without isolating itself.

With humor and attitude:
76% of journalists are left-wing. We're not. We take the liberty of saying what others prefer to keep quiet. We're the uninvited guest who says what everyone knows but no one wants to hear. We're the fool who laughs at everyone – even at ourselves.
Because debate needs lightness. Humor helps soften entrenched positions. We discuss things hard, but never without self-irony. No one has a monopoly on the truth, including us. That's precisely why we listen to everyone, talk to everyone – and still take a clear stance.

Why the Nebelspalter?
The Nebelspalter is more than a medium. It's a stance, a voice, an invitation to open discussion. Those who read us see things more clearly – and sometimes with a smile.