Liechtenstein Votes to End State Funding for Radio Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein Votes to End State Funding for Radio Broadcaster

In a significant move, voters in the small principality of Liechtenstein have decided to terminate state funding for its public radio broadcaster, Radio Liechtenstein, following a recent referendum. The vote, which took place on Sunday, resulted in 55.4% of participants supporting the initiative to abolish the legislation that would have ensured state funding for the broadcaster until the end of 2025, as per official results.

The campaign to cut funding was spearheaded by the opposition group Demokraten pro-Liechtenstein, which contended that Radio Liechtenstein monopolizes over 70% of the government’s media support, thus providing it with an unfair competitive edge over private media outlets. The party put forth a proposal for the station’s privatization, arguing that this step would contribute to a more equitable and diverse media landscape within the country.

Under the previous funding arrangement, Radio Liechtenstein was poised to receive nearly CHF 3.95 million (approximately €4.2 million) in state assistance over the next four years. However, prior to the vote, the government voiced concerns regarding the practicality of a successful privatization. Officials highlighted the challenges that a privately operated radio station in Liechtenstein would face in generating adequate revenue solely through advertising.

As of the latest available data from 2021, Radio Liechtenstein reported an average daily audience of around 11,400 listeners. This reflects the station’s role as a primary source of news and entertainment for the principality, which has a population of approximately 39,000. Situated in the heart of Europe, Liechtenstein maintains close ties with Switzerland, sharing a customs and currency union, and it borders both Switzerland and Austria.

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