OFCOM confirms: no license violation on the part of Telebasel
In March 2016, the media portal barfi.ch and the Basler Zeitung filed a complaint against the Telebasel Foundation with the Federal Office of Communications. Telebasel was accused of committing several violations of its license in connection with its new website. Following BAKOM’s investigation, it has been determined that none of the allegations are true.
In January 2016, Telebasel made extensive changes to its channel structure, expanded and modernized its online presence and revamped its image. The repositioning is based on solid market research conducted according to recognized principles, according to a Telebasel statement.
At the same time, the online portal barfi.ch accused the Telebasel foundation of violating the license conditions with the changes. barfi.ch listed several points, which it finally brought to the Federal Office of Communications OFCOM together with the Basler Zeitung. The accusations were that the foundation was using license fees improperly for the new online presence and was broadcasting unauthorized interruptive advertising. Another charge related to the alleged violation of the concession-related programming mandate.
OFCOM's confirmation is now available. There is no misuse of the license funds, since financing online content with fee money is legally permissible as long as it has a content-related connection to the TV program. Furthermore, it was determined that the operation of the TV program accounts for far more than the 30 percent of the total financing provided by the fee money. The accusation of interruptive advertising was also clearly dismissed. The individual broadcast segments are independent and clearly demarcated from one another in terms of content, and the advertising broadcast in between is therefore permissible.
The program analysis in comparison with other regional stations did not reveal any violation of the programming mandate. Telebasel fulfilled its concession at all times. "As a result of our clarifications, we conclude that none of the allegations raised in the complaint are valid," OFCOM said. "Thus, there is no reason to open a supervisory procedure."
The accusations made against Telebasel in the complaint and the corresponding reporting had a massively damaging effect on the business, which is why Telebasel reserves the right to sue for damages against the initiators, according to a statement.
