Czechia

[CZ] Licence for Radio Twist Refused

IRIS 2001-10:1/11

Jan Fučík

Česká televize

With many commercial radio licences due to expire in 2001, the Broadcasting Council issued new licences at the end of June. In contrast to the new version (see IRIS 2001-7: 8), the previous Broadcasting Act, which was valid until 3 July 2001, made no provision for broadcasting licences to be extended. Most of the licences issued in June were awarded to existing licence-holders on the basis of the old Broadcasting Act, although nobody is automatically entitled to a licence. Under the previous Act, the Broadcasting Council had to consider the maintenance of diversity of opinion and support for the culture of national minorities, including the Slovakian minority, when issuing licences (section 10.4 of the old Broadcasting Act). However, despite political support, an application from the Slovakian radio station Radio Twist, which fulfils the requirement of being established in the Czech Republic, was rejected. A new, previously unknown operator was awarded a licence for Radio Twist.