Last but not least: Radio station protests with birdsong
What Radio Energy's Leuenberger's photo album is to some, birdsong is to others. On Wednesday, the Polish cultural channel Dwojka broadcast nothing but birdsong in protest against inadequate funding for public broadcasting.
What Leuenberger's photo album is to Radio Energy, birdsong is to others. The Polish culture channel Dwojka broadcast only birdsong on Wednesday in protest against the inadequate funding of the public broadcaster. In between, a statement was read out every ten minutes, drawing attention to the channel's financial situation. Due to a dramatic decline in income from broadcasting fees, the existence of the program was in jeopardy.
In the fall of 2007, the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the abolition of broadcasting fees after winning the parliamentary elections, which led to a massive drop in revenue. According to estimates, just 40 percent of radio and television users still pay the fees. Just two weeks ago, the government was able to push through a media law that guarantees funding from the state budget. However, it is uncertain whether this law can come into force, as an objection from President Lech Kaczynski is expected.
Dwojka is an advertising-free station specializing in classical music, jazz and literature. The editorial team organizes numerous music festivals, including the Warsaw Autumn. In 2006, the channel is said to have reached around 1.6 percent of Polish radio listeners.
In the fall of 2007, the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the abolition of broadcasting fees after winning the parliamentary elections, which led to a massive drop in revenue. According to estimates, just 40 percent of radio and television users still pay the fees. Just two weeks ago, the government was able to push through a media law that guarantees funding from the state budget. However, it is uncertain whether this law can come into force, as an objection from President Lech Kaczynski is expected.
Dwojka is an advertising-free station specializing in classical music, jazz and literature. The editorial team organizes numerous music festivals, including the Warsaw Autumn. In 2006, the channel is said to have reached around 1.6 percent of Polish radio listeners.
