Events

The ECS Working Group on Whistleblowing cordially invites you to the in-person event.

Whistleblowers and the Swiss Magazine “Beobachter”: Significance for Journalism, Technical and Legal Protection, and Due Diligence

Location: FHGR Standort Zürich | Limmatstrasse 21 | Zürich | Room Z.0.01

Date/Time: August 24, 2026, from 5.15 to 6.30 pm

Speaker: Dominique Strebel, Editor-in-Chief of Beobachter

For 15 years, Beobachter has operated the whistleblower portal www.sichermelden.ch, powered by EQS Integrity Line technology. Whistleblowers remain completely anonymous; Beobachter has access to neither names nor IP addresses, ensuring optimal protection for those reporting. The tool includes a communication function that allows for follow-up questions—a crucial feature for verifying the quality of sources and evidence.

Every week, approximately 20 reports reach the editorial team via the portal. On average, 10-20% result in investigative leads, and roughly 5-10% lead to published articles. On the website itself, potential whistleblowers are educated on best practices for safety, the legal risks involved, and source protection. Additionally, Beobachter operates a whistleblower hotline where legal advice can be requested.

Key Discussion Areas Include:

• The value of whistleblowers for the media.
• Technical and legal protection for whistleblowers.
• The media’s due diligence obligations when dealing with whistleblowers.

Dominique Strebel, lic. iur., Editor-in-Chief of Beobachter, has worked in journalism for nearly 40 years and is considered an expert on judicial and legal issues. In 2011, as the project manager for www.sichermelden.ch, he developed and implemented the platform at Beobachter. He has served as Editor-in-Chief for the past five years.

His reporting covers a broad spectrum, ranging from public prosecutors and courts to media law. He has been honored with the Zurich Journalism Prize and other awards for his work, including his coverage of compulsory social measures. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Medialex and served for eight years as the Director of Studies at the Swiss School of Journalism (MAZ), where he was responsible for foundational training.