Half an hour of regional information with local media every day

The requirements that have been in force since the beginning of 2020 are thus fulfilled for the most part, as Bakom announced with regard to the first review on Thursday. If a private radio station wants to receive a license, it must commit to broadcasting at least half an hour of regional information daily during prime time. For regional television, 150 minutes of regional information per week during prime time is a prerequisite for a license.

Relevant regional information services are considered to be information on politics, economics, society, culture and sports, provided that the topic occurs or has an impact in the concession area.

According to Bakom, many radio stations offer their audience far more than the required minimum of 30 minutes of regional information daily during the defined prime time of eight and a half hours. Five radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland broadcast the most regional information, four of which are co-financed by the radio and television levy.

However, ten of the 30 radio stations measured do not yet meet the requirement according to the program analysis, as Bakom further writes. Of the 13 licensed regional television stations, 11 stations meet the requirements, including all stations in French-speaking and Italian-speaking Switzerland as well as the bilingual region of Biel/Bienne.

Broadcasters who do not broadcast enough regional information will be given the opportunity to comment on the results of their program and discuss their program performance with Bakom, the authority writes. The goal is to ensure that the population in these areas will also be provided with sufficient regional information services from next year. Sanctions are not foreseen.

The full program analysis report is expected to be published in September 2021. (SDA)