Concessions: Leuenberger gives reasons for his decisions
During a lengthy press conference on Friday morning, Federal Councilor Moritz Leuenberger commented on and explained the licensing decisions made by Bakom. He did so with strong reference to the applicable law. He considers the negative decisions to be manageable.
At a long press conference on Friday morning, Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger commented on and explained the licensing decisions made by Bakom. He did so with strong reference to the applicable law. "The decisions were not easy for us. We are aware that there is a lot at stake," he told media representatives in Bern. "We have created a competitive situation, and that was what the legislator wanted."
The main criterion for the evaluation was the fulfillment of the performance mandate. To this end, broadcasters had to take organizational precautions for quality assurance, employ professional media professionals and offer training opportunities. In addition to this "input", according to Leuenberger, the "output" of the broadcasters was also equally important. This involved the actual program output, which had to be of journalistic quality. The assessment was made primarily with regard to the regional public service and the diversity on offer. Each application was examined independently by two Bakom experts. The results of the review were then compared. "We did not decide in favor of the previous applicants in cases of doubt," continued Leuenberger, repeatedly pointing out the legislative guidelines.
"The situation is not easy for the losers in the radio sector. But there are no fewer jobs as a result." The new stations have already signaled that they are particularly interested in the employees of the stations that were left out.
Regarding the case of Tele Züri, which has lost its license in the Zurich-North-Eastern Switzerland region to Günther Heuberger's Winterthur station Tele Top, Leuenberger said: "Tele Züri can and will continue to broadcast. We have made explicit enquiries with Cablecom. In addition, the station already broadcasts in areas beyond the concession area. The station should have been switched off there". Now they don't have to and can even expand - theoretically to the whole of Switzerland.
The two applications were both at a very high level and should therefore be considered equal. In such a case, the question of media concentration is decisive. The strong concentration of Tele-Züri owner Tamedia therefore does not allow for any other decision.
The main criterion for the evaluation was the fulfillment of the performance mandate. To this end, broadcasters had to take organizational precautions for quality assurance, employ professional media professionals and offer training opportunities. In addition to this "input", according to Leuenberger, the "output" of the broadcasters was also equally important. This involved the actual program output, which had to be of journalistic quality. The assessment was made primarily with regard to the regional public service and the diversity on offer. Each application was examined independently by two Bakom experts. The results of the review were then compared. "We did not decide in favor of the previous applicants in cases of doubt," continued Leuenberger, repeatedly pointing out the legislative guidelines.
"The situation is not easy for the losers in the radio sector. But there are no fewer jobs as a result." The new stations have already signaled that they are particularly interested in the employees of the stations that were left out.
Regarding the case of Tele Züri, which has lost its license in the Zurich-North-Eastern Switzerland region to Günther Heuberger's Winterthur station Tele Top, Leuenberger said: "Tele Züri can and will continue to broadcast. We have made explicit enquiries with Cablecom. In addition, the station already broadcasts in areas beyond the concession area. The station should have been switched off there". Now they don't have to and can even expand - theoretically to the whole of Switzerland.
The two applications were both at a very high level and should therefore be considered equal. In such a case, the question of media concentration is decisive. The strong concentration of Tele-Züri owner Tamedia therefore does not allow for any other decision.
