SRG Eastern Switzerland criticizes the new RTVG
SRG Ostschweiz sees federalism at risk and eastern Switzerland at a disadvantage and is calling for more than just two television licenses for the private broadcasters in eastern Switzerland.
At the general meeting of SRG Eastern Switzerland on Saturday in Glarus, criticism was voiced of the new Radio and Television Act (RTVA), which comes into force in 2007. SRG Ostschweiz sees federalism at risk and eastern Switzerland at a disadvantage and is calling for more than just two television licenses for the eastern part of the country. The criticism is primarily directed at the fact that the new RTVA places far more emphasis on the regional language level than on the parts of the country such as Eastern Switzerland or Central Switzerland when it comes to public service. The new law "breaks another brick out of the system of federalism", writes SRG Ostschweiz in a press release. SRG Eastern Switzerland is concerned about this development. SRG Eastern Switzerland is committed to ensuring an optimal supply of electronic media services in its catchment area, particularly from Radio DRS and SF, but also from private broadcasters. It expects the federal authorities to award more than just two television licenses for private broadcasters in the eastern part of the country. There would be an opportunity to provide a certain "corrective" to the well-developed regional public service in western and southern Switzerland.
