Silvio Lebrument wants CHF 1.85 million from the federal government for Radio Grischa
Silvio Lebrument, managing director of Südostschweiz Radio AG, is demanding 1.58 million francs from the federal government as a share of license fees for Radio Grischa and Radio Engiadina. The founders of Radio Südost are criticizing this move.
According to SDA, the son of Südostschweiz publisher Hanspeter Lebrument announced on Friday that the amount requested by Bakom corresponds to 80 percent of the funds earmarked for the Südostschweiz concession area, which have been blocked for two years. The Federal Administrative Court has explained the possibility of such an interim solution.
Following a complaint by competitor Roger Schawinski, the court annulled the award of the license to Radio Grischa/Engiadina in December and ordered a review of the application by the Federal Office of Communications. Lebrument justifies the demand for a financial transitional solution with the better quality of his station's license application. In addition, the private radio station should not suffer any disadvantages after long licensing procedures and a subsequent investigation. The competitors in the neighboring areas had already received the license a long time ago and had planning and legal certainty.
Radio Südost sees danger of misappropriation
In a communiqué, Radio Südost responds to Radio Grischa's request. Despite the lack of a legal basis, Radio Grischa has submitted an application to Bakom to receive an annual fee share of CHF 1.85 million as part of a transitional solution. Radio Südost is objecting to this as part of the consultation scheduled by Bakom at short notice. "In its submission today (Friday), Radio Südost points out the danger that these funds will be misappropriated to finance daily newspapers in Graubünden owned by Hanspeter Lebrument," the press release states. Last Sunday, Hanspeter Lebrument threatened to shut down two of his smaller newspapers without a concession for Radio Grischa, Stefan Bühler, co-initiator of Radio Südost, is quoted as saying. "We are not against Radio Grischa being allowed to continue broadcasting under the old license until the final decision is made." However, they are surprised that there is not a single indication in Radio Grischa's application as to how the CHF 1.85 million per year will be used to improve the radio station.
(Image: Radiogrischa.ch)
Following a complaint by competitor Roger Schawinski, the court annulled the award of the license to Radio Grischa/Engiadina in December and ordered a review of the application by the Federal Office of Communications. Lebrument justifies the demand for a financial transitional solution with the better quality of his station's license application. In addition, the private radio station should not suffer any disadvantages after long licensing procedures and a subsequent investigation. The competitors in the neighboring areas had already received the license a long time ago and had planning and legal certainty.
Radio Südost sees danger of misappropriation
In a communiqué, Radio Südost responds to Radio Grischa's request. Despite the lack of a legal basis, Radio Grischa has submitted an application to Bakom to receive an annual fee share of CHF 1.85 million as part of a transitional solution. Radio Südost is objecting to this as part of the consultation scheduled by Bakom at short notice. "In its submission today (Friday), Radio Südost points out the danger that these funds will be misappropriated to finance daily newspapers in Graubünden owned by Hanspeter Lebrument," the press release states. Last Sunday, Hanspeter Lebrument threatened to shut down two of his smaller newspapers without a concession for Radio Grischa, Stefan Bühler, co-initiator of Radio Südost, is quoted as saying. "We are not against Radio Grischa being allowed to continue broadcasting under the old license until the final decision is made." However, they are surprised that there is not a single indication in Radio Grischa's application as to how the CHF 1.85 million per year will be used to improve the radio station.
(Image: Radiogrischa.ch)
