Energy Zurich: Karl Lüond comments on the purchase of the radio license
Instead of the cumbersome process, radio station licenses would be better awarded through an auction: that is the view of Zurich-based media expert Karl Lüönd. He voiced this criticism in response to the purchase of a license by Radio Energy Zürich and Ringier.
Whenever the state interferes in media matters, there are always slip-ups, Lüönd told the SDA news agency on Friday. The fact that lost FM licenses can then simply be bought is nothing new and probably a "somewhat cynical consequence" of the state media system.
Nor is it new "that someone compensates for mistakes or a lack of ideas with money". Ringier had made the mistake of not applying for the "small concession" - the one for the greater Zurich area - but only for the "big one" (Zurich/Glarus), said Lüönd. The media company is now paying dearly to correct this mistake. It would have been best if the concessions had been auctioned off, said Lüönd, adding laconically: "The result would have been the same".
VSP President welcomes solution
Jürg Bachmann, President of the Swiss Private Radio Association (VSP), hopes that the change of ownership will work out, as he told SDA. He would welcome a solution other than the disappearance of an established and popular station. The whole lengthy licensing procedure leaves him with an unsatisfactory taste, Bachmann continued.
Nor is it new "that someone compensates for mistakes or a lack of ideas with money". Ringier had made the mistake of not applying for the "small concession" - the one for the greater Zurich area - but only for the "big one" (Zurich/Glarus), said Lüönd. The media company is now paying dearly to correct this mistake. It would have been best if the concessions had been auctioned off, said Lüönd, adding laconically: "The result would have been the same".
VSP President welcomes solution
Jürg Bachmann, President of the Swiss Private Radio Association (VSP), hopes that the change of ownership will work out, as he told SDA. He would welcome a solution other than the disappearance of an established and popular station. The whole lengthy licensing procedure leaves him with an unsatisfactory taste, Bachmann continued.
