The Christ Child does not bring a new RTVG

Media policy Minority motions in the National Council committee prevent the new law from being discussed in December The National Council will not deal with the new Radio and Television Act (RTVA) until the 2004 spring session. The Committee for Transport and Telecommunications (KVF) concluded its deliberations on Tuesday and passed the bill by 20 votes to 1. However, because 51 minority motions were submitted to the National Council, Committee Chairman Peter Vollmer expects the debate to last two days. In the last reading, the KVF weakened some controversial resolutions again. For example, licenses may now be granted to applicants who own other media with a dominant market position in the coverage area. The prerequisite is that the diversity of opinion and offerings are not jeopardized. According to Vollmer, this could be ensured by measures such as an editorial statute. The KVF also returned to its decision to exclude non-commercial private radio stations in conurbations from the licence fee. The KVF stuck to its hard line on advertising: no spots for alcohol and medicines on radio and TV, no advertising and no sponsorship on SRG radio stations. However, minority motions are pending in the National Council.
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