The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. It secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars of the 20th century. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

Swiss publicly-owned radio and television broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, operates seven national television networks. Three of these stations broadcast in German, two in Italian, and two in French. Additionally, a number of private commercial television stations broadcast regionally and locally. Television broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely accessed using multichannel cable and satellite TV services. Swiss Broadcasting Corporation operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national and local coverage.

Because of the multiple languages used in Swiss society, there are many regional newspapers but no national ones in Switzerland. Ringier AB, the largest Swiss publishing company, publishes the daily tabloid newspaper Blick, the free evening sheet Blick am Abend, and Sonntagsblick--a leading Sunday newspaper. Tamedia AG publishes Tages-Anzeiger and Berner Zeitung, along with the free dailies 20 Minuten and 20 Minutes. The leading publishing house in the French-speaking part of Switzerland is Edipresse, which publishes 24 Heures, Le Matin, Tribune de Geneve, and Le Temps.