Complaint lodged against the award of the radio license for Biel
The awarding of the radio license for Biel and the Bernese Jura to Radio Jura bernois (RJB) is being challenged in court. Canal B and Canal Alpha have filed an appeal against the decision of the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom).
This is the result of a joint announcement by the two complainants on Friday. Canal B is the future regional television channel for the region of Biel/Bienne, Bernese Jura and Seeland. Canal Alpha is the regional television station for the Jura Arc.
In their communiqué, the owners of Canal B and Canal Alpha recalled the 2+2 rule in the Radio and Television Act. This states that one player may not control more than two radio and two television licenses.
However, it is clear that the Steulet Group will control a total of three radio licenses through various companies and individuals: RTN in Neuchâtel, RFJ in the Jura and RJB in the Bernese Jura and the Biel region, the latter station together with the Gassmann Group.
The 2+2 rule must be adhered to in order to avoid media concentration and unfair competition, the complainants wrote. The complaint was therefore submitted in the interests of balanced media coverage in the region.
The licenses for the local radio and television stations were re-awarded in January. In the television sector, Canal B was awarded the license for the Biel area. The former local television station Telebielingue, owned by the Gassmann media group, lost out. The latter immediately announced an appeal to the Federal Administrative Court. (SDA)
