RadioDay 2008: DRS Musikwelle and Rete 3 receive awards
The Swiss RadioDay took place for the ninth time on Thursday in Zurich. In addition to workshops, presentations and panel discussions, the "Radio of the Year" award was presented again this year.
Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger criticized the "monoculture of local radio stations" in Zurich on Thursday. There is not much left of the ideals of the former radio pirates, the Communications Minister stated at this year's RadioDay.
In his speech on "25 years of private radio in Switzerland", the head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) lamented the "uniformity of radio programs", according to SDA. Leuenberger was taking part in RadioDay for the first time, which was held for the ninth time this year.
25 years ago, it was hoped that local radio stations would lead to a better supply of regional information, encourage participation in politics and increase journalistic and cultural diversity, said Leuenberger.
25 years later, the scene had long since domesticated itself without official intervention. Most of the local radio stations were producing standardized majority programs, pre-packaged by the music computer.
Viewing figures are not everything
Radio is an accompanying medium. But it has no future as a mere sprinkler system. Local radio stations that receive license fee money must provide a regional public service with relevant information on culture and society, politics, business and sport in their region.
Audience ratings and advertising revenue should not be the only driving force, emphasized Leuenberger. If the former pirates of the airwaves were to become gardeners who merely cultivated their acoustic monocultures because of the new subsidies, this would sooner or later lead to radiophonic collapse and a major radio extinction.
As Environment Minister, he hopes that the new performance mandate for private radio stations will result in "flourishing biodiversity". "I would like to see the fresh, flexible and cheeky spirit of the pirate era back," emphasized the Uvek boss.
DRS Musikwelle and Rete 3 awarded
DRS Musikwelle for German-speaking Switzerland and Rete 3 for Latin Switzerland were named Radios of the Year 2008 on RadioDay. The prize, endowed with CHF 10,000, has been awarded since 2002.
The two stations recorded the highest increase in listeners in the entire Swiss radio landscape, according to the organizers. Roger Schawinski was also recognized for his efforts in the early years of the private radio scene.
The annual Radio Day is organized by SRG, the Association of Swiss Private Radio Stations (VSP) and Publica Data, which is active in audience research.
In his speech on "25 years of private radio in Switzerland", the head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) lamented the "uniformity of radio programs", according to SDA. Leuenberger was taking part in RadioDay for the first time, which was held for the ninth time this year.
25 years ago, it was hoped that local radio stations would lead to a better supply of regional information, encourage participation in politics and increase journalistic and cultural diversity, said Leuenberger.
25 years later, the scene had long since domesticated itself without official intervention. Most of the local radio stations were producing standardized majority programs, pre-packaged by the music computer.
Viewing figures are not everything
Radio is an accompanying medium. But it has no future as a mere sprinkler system. Local radio stations that receive license fee money must provide a regional public service with relevant information on culture and society, politics, business and sport in their region.
Audience ratings and advertising revenue should not be the only driving force, emphasized Leuenberger. If the former pirates of the airwaves were to become gardeners who merely cultivated their acoustic monocultures because of the new subsidies, this would sooner or later lead to radiophonic collapse and a major radio extinction.
As Environment Minister, he hopes that the new performance mandate for private radio stations will result in "flourishing biodiversity". "I would like to see the fresh, flexible and cheeky spirit of the pirate era back," emphasized the Uvek boss.
DRS Musikwelle and Rete 3 awarded
DRS Musikwelle for German-speaking Switzerland and Rete 3 for Latin Switzerland were named Radios of the Year 2008 on RadioDay. The prize, endowed with CHF 10,000, has been awarded since 2002.
The two stations recorded the highest increase in listeners in the entire Swiss radio landscape, according to the organizers. Roger Schawinski was also recognized for his efforts in the early years of the private radio scene.
The annual Radio Day is organized by SRG, the Association of Swiss Private Radio Stations (VSP) and Publica Data, which is active in audience research.
