Private radio stations continue to broadcast federal warning messages
Twenty private radio stations in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland have voluntarily committed to broadcasting official announcements—even without a license. The agreements were concluded with the radio associations VSP and RRR.
Since January 1, 2025, many private radio stations are no longer licensed and therefore no longer obliged to broadcast official warning messages. Nevertheless, 20 stations with a regional focus have decided to continue this task. The agreements were made with the associations Verband Schweizer Privatradios (VSP) and Radios régionales romandes (RRR). This ensures that the regional population will continue to receive timely and reliable information in crisis situations.
VSP Managing Director Peter Scheurer emphasizes: "It is very important to the regional radio stations that they continue to provide this emergency service for the population." The stations see the broadcasting of warning messages as an elementary part of their regional public service, Scheurer continues.
Support from federal agencies
The Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP and the Federal Office of Communications OFCOM welcome the initiative. The FOCP will continue to provide the technical infrastructure and disseminate the messages via the existing Alertswiss NewsML alert system.
This voluntary commitment will ensure that the population is warned throughout the country - supplemented by the 15 licensed regional radio stations. The private radio stations will draw attention to the importance of the alarm system as early as February 5, 2025 as part of the annual siren test.
The regional radio stations Energy Basel, Energy Bern, Energy St. Gallen, Energy Lucerne, Energy Zurich, LFM, One FM, Radio 1, Radio 24, Radio 32, Radio Argovia, Radio Basilisk, Radio Bern1, Radio FM1, Radio Lac, Radio Pilatus, Radio Top, Radio Zürisee, Rouge FM and Sunshine Radio have signed the agreement.
