Swiss Radio Day 17: More money from the federal government for training
Swiss private radio stations receive high marks from the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), especially when it comes to the training offered to journalists. OFCOM wants to support training and continuing education with more funds from the fee pot.
The funds made available from license fees are largely being used, said OFCOM Director Philipp Metzger on Thursday at Swiss Radio Day. At the same time, he called on those responsible not to slacken in their efforts and to constantly train the makers with a view to the consequences of digitalization. Digitalization will also greatly change the job profiles of radio stations. This can only be responded to with well-trained and further educated employees.
OFCOM is happy to support the industry financially in these challenges, said Metzger. This is because Parliament has decided to make more money available for this purpose from the fees paid by the private sector.
DAB+ as a model of cooperation
Philipp Metzger also described the switchover from FM to DAB+ as a success. This is progressing very well because the entire industry is participating. This was also emphasized by Gilles Marchand, designated Director General of SRG, who is implementing this technology change together with the private broadcasters.
He said that not only SRG but all radio stations were facing major challenges in many areas that could be better mastered together. He also mentioned the No Billag initiative. If this is accepted, it will mean the silencing of all SRG radio stations. But in his opinion, the existence of many private radio stations would also be threatened if the initiative were adopted.
That's why the industry must unite to fight against the petition for a referendum calling for the abolition of license fees. It is a misconception that weakening the large SRG would lead to a strengthening of the private sector, Marchand said. The main beneficiaries would be foreign media and giants like Google and Facebook.
