Rhaeto-Romanic news agency ANR celebrates its 15th anniversary

The agency has an annual budget of CHF 1 million and is funded two-thirds by the federal government and one-third by the canton of Graubünden. As ANR announced on Monday, it supplies the Rhaeto-Romanic newspapers La Quotidiana, La Pagina da Surmeir and Posta Ladina as well as the Rhaeto-Romanic electronic media.

The agency began its activities at the beginning of January 1997 with the first edition of the daily newspaper La Quotidiana. ANR is independent of its clients. The texts are written in the written language Rumantsch Grischun as well as in all Rhaeto-Romanic idioms. The written language is used for reports that are intended to appeal to the entire language community.

Measures to preserve the Rhaeto-Romanic language

Without the news agency, the publication of the daily newspaper La Quotidiana would be inconceivable, writes ANR. Since taking over the editorial team in May 2009, ANR has ensured the publication of this newspaper. The other print products would also be at great risk without ANR. The news agency is therefore a strong and efficient measure for the preservation and promotion of the Romansh language, writes ANR.

ANR employs eleven permanent members of staff, who share 780 full-time equivalents. There are also freelancers. In addition to the main editorial office in Chur, there are workplaces in Bern, Disentis/Mustér, Cumpadials, Trun, Vuorz, Sur, Zernez, Schuls and Uznach SG. The ANR sponsors are united in a foundation board. The print media each have one seat on this board. The electronic media - Rhaeto-Romanic Swiss Radio and Television, Radio Grischa and Radio Engiadina - also have one seat each. In addition, the organizations Lia Rumantscha and Pro Svizra Rumantscha as well as the Graubünden cantonal council have a seat on the committee. (SDA)