Swiss licence fee vote today

[Dave2002]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43229284

Will this eventually also happen in the UK? Not this year, but within a decade perhaps?

[ardcarp]

Although one doesn't have to pay a licence fee to receive radio any more, our Radios 3 and 4 are funded by it. What would happen to Radio for the Thinking Person without cash from the licence fee?

[Lat-Literal]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43229284

Will this eventually also happen in the UK? Not this year, but within a decade perhaps?

It depends on whether people would prefer to spend their money on broadcasting or defence. While not involved in military conflict for 200 years, Switzerland is armed to the teeth. It is Europe's best-armed nation, where every male citizen under 50 years old is a reserve soldier. The structure of the Swiss militia system stipulates that the soldiers keep their own personal equipment, including all personally assigned weapons, at home (until 2007 this also included ammunition). Compulsory military service applies to all male Swiss citizens, with women serving voluntarily. Males usually receive initial orders at the age of 18 for military conscription eligibility screening. About two-thirds of young Swiss men are found suitable for service. The primary front-line air-defence fleet consists of 30 F/A-18 Hornets (34 aircraft were originally purchased, with three F/A-18D and one F/A-18C lost in crashes) organized into three squadrons (11, 17 and 18) along with 53 F-5 Tiger IIs (98 F-5E and 12 F-5F originally purchased). In 2008, the Swiss Hornet fleet reached the 50,000 flight hour milestone.

The Swiss Army is organised thus:

Mechanized Brigade 1
Command Support Battalion 1 (Bataillon d'aide au commandement 1)
Reconnaissance Battalion 1 (Bataillon d'exploration 1)
Tank Battalion 12 (Bataillon de chars 12)
Mechanized Battalion 17
Mechanized Battalion 18
Artillery Battalion 1
Armoured Engineer Battalion 1
Mechanized Brigade 4
Command Support Battalion 4
Reconnaissance battalion 4
Reconnaissance battalion 5
Artillery Battalion 10
Artillery Battalion 49
Bridge Engineer Battalion 26
Mechanized Brigade 11 (see de:Panzerbrigade 11)
Command Support Battalion 11
Reconnaissance battalion 11
Tank Battalion 13 (Panzerbataillon 13)
Mechanized Battalion 14
Mechanized battalion 29
Artillery Battalion 16 (Artillerie Abteilung 16)
Armoured Engineer Battalion 11
Territorial Division 1 in Morges
Territorial Division Staff Battalion 1
Rifle battalion 1 (Bataillon de Carabiniers 1)
Mountain Infantry battalion 7 (Bataillon d'infanterie de montagne 7)
Infantry Battalion 13
Rifle battalion 14 (Bataillon de Carabiniers 14)
Infantry Battalion 19 (Bataillon d'infanterie 19)
Engineer Battalion 2
Emergency Rescue Battalion 1
Rescue Coordination Center 1
Patrouille des Glaciers Command
Territorial Division 2 in Kriens
Territorial Division Staff Battalion 2
Infantry battalion 11
Infantry Battalion 20
Infantry Battalion 56
Infantry Battalion 97
Engineer Battalion 6
Emergency Rescue Battalion 2
Rescue Coordination Center 2
Territorial Division 3 in Altdorf
Territorial Division Staff Battalion 3
Mountain Infantry Battalion 29
Mountain Infantry Battalion 30 (Battaglione fanteria montagna 30)
Mountain Infantry Battalion 48
Mountain Infantry Battalion 91
Engineer Battalion 9
Emergency Rescue Battalion 3
Rescue Coordination Center 3
Territorial Division 4 in St. Gallen
Territorial Division Staff Battalion 4
Mountain Rifle Battalion 6 (Gebirgsschützenbataillon 6)
Infantry Battalion 61
Infantry Battalion 65
Mountain Infantry Battalion 85
Engineer Battalion 23
Emergency Rescue Battalion 4
Rescue Coordination Center 4

[gurnemanz]

... you left out the parking meter attendants.

[ardcarp]

It depends on whether people would prefer to spend their money on broadcasting or defence

Surely not an 'either/or' situation? Defence spendig is vast in comparison with broadcasting. I suppose our licence fee is an example of a hypothecated tax (which governments don't like) though one which is avoidable if you choose not to have a TV or use i-Player.

[Lat-Literal]

... you left out the parking meter attendants.

I will put them on my revised list.

[Lat-Literal]

Surely not an 'either/or' situation? Defence spendig is vast in comparison with broadcasting. I suppose our licence fee is an example of a hypothecated tax (which governments don't like) though one which is avoidable if you choose not to have a TV or use i-Player.

In that case, I will rephrase it so that it takes account of your comment and reflects my own opinions more accurately.

It depends on whether people would prefer to spend their money on broadcasting or mega defence.

I do, of course, consistently argue that national public broadcasting is of itself vital to national security.

For a start, imagine the pandemonium in a scenario where there were rumours that we had been invaded. People immediately turn to what they hope will be some sort of authoritative message in the media from high. But it's not there. Instead, there's a lot of panicky conflicting tweets from teenagers or else Fox News. No thank you. There are several other crucial considerations. Preventative mainly. The subliminal role of a national broadcaster, especially in a nation divided on key policy or even a multicultural society, re inclusivity and cohesion.

[cloughie]

Although one doesn't have to pay a licence fee to receive radio any more, our Radios 3 and 4 are funded by it. What would happen to Radio for the Thinking Person without cash from the licence fee?

Particularly if you look at what has happened to Radio 3 already without Thinking People in charge of the station!

[greenilex]

Luckily the bien-pensants had no trouble winning this one.

Not so sure about over here, especially with

sinister forces coursing through the social bloodstream

[Sir Velo]

Luckily the bien-pensants had no trouble winning this one.

Is that really the case? Given the shocking degradation of quality we've witnessed under successive R3 controllers, I'm not sure whether public funding is a guarantee of continued quality for radio broadcasting.

[french frank]

Is that really the case? Given the shocking degradation of quality we've witnessed under successive R3 controllers, I'm not sure whether public funding is a guarantee of continued quality for radio broadcasting.

I think we have to accept that, even if accepting that the BBC's news gathering is 'independent', there is an editorial fallout from the funding levels which are entirely a matter for government. They think Radio 2 (and Classic FM, as it happens) is 'better' than Radio 3 because it costs an infinitesimal amount per listener and per listener hour. And it serves the general public, which is the BBC's duty, whereas Radio 3 serves an elitist, white, middle class cultural plutocracy which can jolly well pay for its own entertainment.

The BBC caves in to this thinking and Radio 3's battles are as much within the BBC as anywhere else. Don't put too much blame on the whipping-boy.

[greenilex]

I think the alternatives are grim to contemplate. Look at the US media. PSB is tiny and local.

[greenilex]

Over the past eight days I have been struck by the determined religiosity of R3 programming.

OK, defender of the faith and all that, I get it. But is there anywhere else in Europe, even Poland, where a classical music station is so heavily devoted to the Christian liturgy, and so mealy-mouthed about it?

I love Church music. In church.

[Bergonzi]

What was the outcome of the vote?

[LMcD]

What was the outcome of the vote?

A big majority - 70 or 80% I think - in favour of the status quo.
(I've just checked. 71% in favour of retaining the fee on a 54% turnout. Proposal rejected in every one of the 23 'states' - which I take to be electoral districts)