Basel One: Heeb appeals against concession decision
Medien für Erwachsene AG (MFE), which lost out on a radio license for the Basel area, is appealing against the decision in favour of the two existing radio stations Basilisk and Radio One. The decision violates the letter and spirit of the Radio and Television Act, writes MFE co-founder Christian Heeb.
Medien für Erwachsene AG (MFE), which was unsuccessful in the award of a radio license for the Basel area, is appealing against the decision in favour of the two existing radios Basilisk and One. The DETEC decision "clearly violates the letter and spirit of the Radio and Television Act", complain the board members Franz Widmer (retired
bz editor-in-chief) and Christian Heeb (co-founder of Radio Basilisk) in a communiqué.
The aspect of pluralism of opinion and media diversity was given "no consideration whatsoever" because DETEC ignored the dependencies of the existing broadcasters. In other regions, however, this criterion was decisive. The rebuffed MFE project called "Radio, das mehr Basel bietet (RBB)" had demonstrated financing and basic capitalization. In the case of the competition, on the other hand, DETEC had even dispensed with this proof. MFE speaks of "arbitrariness".
RBB was announced a year ago as a new type of local radio station with a 50 percent share of spoken word and a round-the-clock editorial team with 27 full-time positions. The core task of this radio station for a "responsible audience" is the comprehensive procurement, processing and dissemination of information. Should RBB, which is financed purely by advertising and sponsorship, receive a license, the share capital would be increased from CHF 100,000 to one million, Heeb said at the time. Publigroupe Lausanne wanted to take a 25 percent stake. Hans Jürg Deutsch, former head of TV at Ringer, was also on board.
bz editor-in-chief) and Christian Heeb (co-founder of Radio Basilisk) in a communiqué.
The aspect of pluralism of opinion and media diversity was given "no consideration whatsoever" because DETEC ignored the dependencies of the existing broadcasters. In other regions, however, this criterion was decisive. The rebuffed MFE project called "Radio, das mehr Basel bietet (RBB)" had demonstrated financing and basic capitalization. In the case of the competition, on the other hand, DETEC had even dispensed with this proof. MFE speaks of "arbitrariness".
RBB was announced a year ago as a new type of local radio station with a 50 percent share of spoken word and a round-the-clock editorial team with 27 full-time positions. The core task of this radio station for a "responsible audience" is the comprehensive procurement, processing and dissemination of information. Should RBB, which is financed purely by advertising and sponsorship, receive a license, the share capital would be increased from CHF 100,000 to one million, Heeb said at the time. Publigroupe Lausanne wanted to take a 25 percent stake. Hans Jürg Deutsch, former head of TV at Ringer, was also on board.
