Initiated by a small opposition occasion, the choice displays the push in direction of a extra aggressive media panorama, with requires privatization of the broadcaster.
In a latest referendum, Liechtenstein voters determined to finish state funding for the nation’s public radio station, Radio Liechtenstein, casting uncertainty over the station’s future.
According to official outcomes, Sunday’s vote noticed 55.4% assist for abolishing the laws that may in any other case proceed state funding of Radio Liechtenstein till the tip of 2025.
The drive to chop funding was led by the small pro-Liechtenstein opposition group Demokraten, which argued that the broadcaster monopolizes greater than 70% of public assist allotted to the media, giving it an unfair benefit over personal opponents.
The occasion supported the privatization of the station, arguing that it could foster a extra balanced media panorama.
Over the subsequent 4 years, the station was anticipated to obtain state assist of just about 3.95 million francs (round 4.2 million euros).
Before the vote, the federal government had expressed considerations concerning the feasibility of profitable privatisation, citing the restricted potential for a non-public Liechtenstein radio station to generate enough income by promoting alone.
Radio Liechtenstein recorded a median each day viewers of 11,400 listeners in 2021, the newest 12 months with out there knowledge.
Liechtenstein, a principality with a inhabitants of roughly 39,000, shares shut ties with Switzerland, with which it has established a customs and financial union, and borders each Switzerland and Austria.
