Licenses for Radio Argovia and Radio Grischa
Radio Grischa and Radio Argovia have now been definitively granted a local radio license. The Federal Administrative Court has dismissed appeals filed by media entrepreneur Roger Schawinski as groundless. This brings an end to a legal dispute that has lasted for years.
The Federal Administrative Court declared the appeals invalid on the grounds that submitted concession applications may no longer be amended. A license application is of a highly personal nature, meaning that a change of party, ownership structure or financing is inadmissible. The complainant had felt compelled to make changes after it had received a second license from the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) in addition to the license for Radio 1 with the license for Radio 105. However, the Radio and Television Act (RTVA) does not permit more than two radio licenses per owner. In 2013, the DETEC confirmed the award of the licenses to Radio Argovia, owned by publisher Peter Wanner, and Radio Südostschweiz AG under the umbrella of the Somedia group brand for a second time.
Complainants do not give up
The complainants around Roger Schawinski are not satisfied with the ruling. They consider the two decisions to be "a cynical mistake" by a court, as it did not address the essential questions, as the complainants write in a press release. With the decision, the concessions in two important regions of Switzerland have definitely and wrongly gone to monopolists. In view of the "extraordinary" importance of these proceedings, the complainants are examining further options for taking action against the decisions. However, they are aware that an ordinary appeal to the Federal Supreme Court is not possible. (SDA)
Picture Roger Schawinski: SRF
