New news agency to save Rhaeto-Romanic media
A new news agency financed by the federal government and the canton is to ensure the survival of the financially strapped Rhaeto-Romanic media. This is what the newspapers and radio and television stations from the Romansh-speaking region are proposing in a joint concept.
The new foundation will be called "Fundaziun Medias Rumantschas" (FMR), according to the concept announced on Thursday. The foundation is to set up a twelve-strong print editorial team and make the texts produced available free of charge, primarily to the Romansh newspapers. Essentially, the foundation will function like a news agency - free of charge, of course. However, the FMR is not only intended to promote the press, but the entire Romansh media landscape.
This currently consists of three newspapers, including the only daily newspaper, the La Quotidiana, and Rhaeto-Romanic Radio and Television RTR, which belongs to SRG. A collaboration between Fundaziun Medias Rumantschas and RTR is being considered, but the details are still unclear. In an extreme case, FMR could even be integrated into the Rhaeto-Romanic state broadcaster.
More money from the federal government and canton
FMR succeeds the existing Rhaeto-Romanic news agency Agentura da Novitads Rumantscha (ANR) and is also funded by the federal government and the canton of Graubünden. However, as the Fundaziun Medias Rumantschas is taking on "new and additional tasks" according to the concept, it should also receive more money. While the ANR currently receives CHF 1.2 million per year, the FMR will receive CHF 2.15 million. FMR will remain independent in business and editorial terms.
The concept was developed under the leadership of the Rhaeto-Romanic language organization Lia Rumantscha and is supported by all Rhaeto-Romanic media. It was discussed by those responsible with the Federal Office of Culture on Tuesday and will now be further elaborated. Ideally, the FMR could start producing texts in September 2019. (SDA)
