Uvek reconfirms license for Radio Argovia
The DETEC has confirmed for the second time—after 2008—the granting of a local radio license to Radio Argovia. This means that Radio AG, planned by Roger Schawinski, has once again had its application rejected. Schawinski calls it a «farce.».
Despite the connection to the BT Group of media entrepreneur Peter Wanner, which dominates the market in the region, there is no threat to the diversity of opinion and offerings. This was announced by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek) on Tuesday. By selling its majority stake in Radio 32, the BT Group is also complying with the rule according to which a media company may only hold a maximum of two radio and two television licenses. The Uvek had already granted Radio Argovia the license in October 2008 following the re-tendering of all local radio licenses. Roger Schawinski, who was also bidding for a license for the canton of Aargau with his own project Radio AG, took the decision, which was negative for him, to the Federal Administrative Court.
No evidence of abuse
Although it confirmed the Uvek's decision, it demanded an in-depth investigation into whether the granting of a license to Radio Argovia would violate diversity of opinion and offerings. The Uvek had to examine whether BT had a dominant position in the coverage area and whether it might be abusing it.
According to the decision published on Tuesday, there were no valid indications of journalistic, systematic and forward-looking abuse. The diversity of opinion and offerings would not be endangered, even though the BT Group holds a dominant position in the market. The Uvek decision can be appealed again to the Federal Administrative Court, which will decide in the final instance. The provisional license for Radio Argovia remains legally valid until a further decision is made. This means that the public service is guaranteed for the time being, even in the event of a further appeal, writes the Uvek.
Schawinski: "A farce"
Roger Schawinski describes the Uvek decision in a press release as the "next chapter in the Aargau radio license farce". Apparently, the decision originally made by Bakom in favor of the previous license holder was to be upheld by all means. Schawinski has not yet said whether he will appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court. His dispute over a local radio license in Graubünden is still pending there. The Zurich media entrepreneur writes that these proceedings are almost completed and that the final decision in this matter is expected next. (SDA)
