Radio Energy Zurich: Appeal against licensing decision
Radio Energy Zürich has filed an appeal with the Federal Administrative Court against the negative licensing decision by the DETEC. The Ringier-owned station criticizes the DETEC for «arbitrarily failing to take into account» its long-standing track record when evaluating the applications.
As announced, Radio Energy Zurich filed an appeal against the licensing decision of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) on Friday. Energy Zurich will therefore remain on air in the Zurich-Glarus licensing area until at least the end of 2009, as the station announced on Saturday. After 25 years of broadcasting, the radio station was left empty-handed in the allocation of licenses.
In its letter of appeal to the Federal Administrative Court, Radio Energy criticizes, among other things, that DETEC "arbitrarily failed to take into account the long-standing track record when assessing the applications". In addition, the broadcaster goes on to explain that the radio station, which belongs to the Ringier Group, "fulfils the information mandate just as well, if not better, than other broadcasters and makes the greatest contribution to the diversity of opinion and offerings with its program".
Petition already signed by 70,000 people
The appeal against the DETEC ruling for the Zurich-Glarus region means that the current licenses of the existing radios in this area will be automatically extended. The affected stations will therefore remain on air with their current license until three months after the Federal Administrative Court has issued its final decision. The same applies if the Federal Administrative Court refers the case back to DETEC for reassessment and DETEC has to make the final decision.
Parallel to the appeal, Radio Energy is also running a petition calling on the Federal Council and the governments of the cantons in the broadcasting area to support a fourth FM license for a private radio station in the Zurich-Glarus area. Only three licenses had been awarded for the Zurich-Glarus broadcasting area, which went to Radio 24, Radio Zürisee and Roger Schawinski's Radio 1. According to Energy, over 70,000 people have already signed the "Energy4ever" petition.
In its letter of appeal to the Federal Administrative Court, Radio Energy criticizes, among other things, that DETEC "arbitrarily failed to take into account the long-standing track record when assessing the applications". In addition, the broadcaster goes on to explain that the radio station, which belongs to the Ringier Group, "fulfils the information mandate just as well, if not better, than other broadcasters and makes the greatest contribution to the diversity of opinion and offerings with its program".
Petition already signed by 70,000 people
The appeal against the DETEC ruling for the Zurich-Glarus region means that the current licenses of the existing radios in this area will be automatically extended. The affected stations will therefore remain on air with their current license until three months after the Federal Administrative Court has issued its final decision. The same applies if the Federal Administrative Court refers the case back to DETEC for reassessment and DETEC has to make the final decision.
Parallel to the appeal, Radio Energy is also running a petition calling on the Federal Council and the governments of the cantons in the broadcasting area to support a fourth FM license for a private radio station in the Zurich-Glarus area. Only three licenses had been awarded for the Zurich-Glarus broadcasting area, which went to Radio 24, Radio Zürisee and Roger Schawinski's Radio 1. According to Energy, over 70,000 people have already signed the "Energy4ever" petition.
