The Liechtenstein Broadcasting Corporation (Liechtensteinische Rundfunk, LRF) is a public broadcaster located in Schaan, the largest municipality of Liechtenstein. It runs a single radio channel, Radio Liechtenstein (also known as Radio L). Originally, Radio L operated as a nationwide broadcaster from 1938 to 1939. It later resumed operation under private ownership in 1995, before becoming a public radio station again in January 2004. According to its website, Radio L has around 30,000 listeners within the region, including parts of Switzerland and Austria.
Media assets
Radio: Radio Liechtenstein (Radio L)
State Media Monitor Typology: Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
LRF is an independent institution under public law, regulated by its own legislation. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of five to seven professionals from various fields. The government appoints the board members, the station’s President, and the Auditor. The board, in turn, appoints the five-member management every four years. The government oversees the LRF’s operation.
Source of funding and budget
Radio L’s operation is mainly funded by a state subsidy, with additional revenues generated from advertising sales. In 2015, the Liechtensteinian government suggested reintroducing a license fee, but the proposal was shelved because the authorities feared it would not receive public support. Additionally, the government determined that the state contribution was a more economically beneficial model.
According to the company’s 2021 annual report, the state contribution amounted to CHF 2.6m (US$ 2.7m), while commercial income and revenues from other sources were around CHF 725,000 (US$ 764,000). In 2022, LRF received a state budget allocation of CHF 2.33m (US$ 2.41m) and generated commercial funding of CHF CHF 640,000 (US$ 663,000), as per the company’s annual report.
The company has been facing financial challenges in recent years. Therefore, a new board that assumed control in 2024 emphasized its commitment to achieving financial stability for the broadcaster, as stated in a company annual report.
In 2023, Radio L received CHF 3.26m (US$ 3.7m) from the state budget and generated CHF 583,000 (US$ 662,000) from ad sales, according to data provided by the broadcaster.
Editorial independence
Although the government plays a prominent role in supervising LRF’s operations, the LRF Act contains legal provisions guaranteeing the broadcaster’s freedom of opinion, objectivity, impartiality of reporting, and journalistic independence. The Auditor checks the law’s provisions for compliance.
LRF also has an Audience Council made up of five honorary members chosen by lottery every five years. Anyone over 16 years old and not belonging to the eligible groups for the Board of Directors can take part in the lottery. The Council operates independently, sets its own rules and procedures, and serves in an advisory capacity. The station’’ management is legally required to provide information to the Council to enable it to carry out its work effectively.
August 2024