Liechtenstein voters cut funding for public radio broadcaster

In Liechtenstein, voters participated in a referendum on Sunday, October 27, 2024, deciding to withdraw state funding from Radio Liechtenstein, a public broadcaster. A total of 55.4% of participants supported the removal of legislation that allocated public funds to the broadcaster, which will cease receiving financial support at the end of 2025. This decision, initiated by the opposition party Demokraten pro Liechtenstein, was based on their claims that Radio Liechtenstein consumes over 70% of government media funding, thus disadvantaging private media outlets in the country. Prior to the vote, the government expressed doubts regarding the broadcaster's viability in a privatized model, noting that a private station might struggle to generate sufficient revenue from advertising. This point is significant, considering Radio Liechtenstein averaged 11,400 daily listeners in 2021. The station, which was set to receive approximately 3.95 million Swiss francs over the next four years, now faces an uncertain future following the electorate's decision. Liechtenstein, a small principality with about 39,000 residents, has strong ties to Switzerland and operates under a customs and currency union with it. The vote reflects a shifting landscape for media funding and the balance between public and private media in the region. The outcome raises important questions about the sustainability of public broadcasters in small nations and the potential effects of privatization on media diversity. As the situation unfolds, the implications of the referendum will likely affect not only the broadcaster but also the media landscape and the role of state funding in Liechtenstein’s information dissemination.