Radio LoRa

Radio LoRa is a non-commercial local radio broadcasting in the greater Zurich area and the oldest community radio in Switzerland. Around 250 voluntary broadcasters broadcast 24 hours a day from our studios in Kreis 4 - and that in 21 different languages! The program of Radio LoRa is as colorful and diverse as the opinions, cultures, and music of the people in Zurich - that's why no hour sounds like another on LoRa.

Radio LoRa addresses topics and plays music that cannot be found in other media. It provides airtime to a variety of groups and individuals, especially those who have little space for self-representation in the media due to societal exclusion, sexist, or racist discrimination. Radio LoRa is an intercultural radio and reflects the social reality of the city of Zurich with programs from various communities, where every third resident lives a daily life that is not (exclusively) in Swiss German. At LoRa, they give voice to their stories, perspectives, and opinions in over 20 languages.

The feminist editorial team at Radio LoRa also has a long tradition, which shapes the entire radio program not only on Mondays but throughout the week. The topics that feminists take to the streets are picked up by RADIA and broadcast over the airwaves.

Born out of the 80s movement, Radio LoRa continues this legacy. LoRa is a transmitter for the movement, from the movement. We use the radio waves to promote an alternative to the prevailing order. The radio is our instrument to express our resistance. For us, independent journalism does not mean advocating a predetermined neutrality, but taking a stand and reporting from the bottom up.

As a complementary radio with a public service mandate, Radio LoRa differs programmatically and organizationally from both private and public-service radio stations. On the one hand, there is no advertising on Radio LoRa and thus no advertising revenue. It is financed by membership fees, donations, shares of radio and television fees, and project-related grants.

The history of Radio LoRa is characterized by movement and turbulence. Born in the wild 80s amidst youth unrest, the political events of that time have left their mark on the philosophy and organization of LoRa. LoRa's history is characterized by the attempt to operate a resistant radio autonomously.

Until the end of the 70s, the Swiss radio landscape was solely dominated by the state-owned radio and television company SRG. In 1977, the Alternative Local Radio Zurich (ALR) unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a broadcasting license. Under the name LoRa, a group of activists began broadcasting from the Autonomous Youth Center Zurich (AJZ) on September 19, 1981, for one week. The state-owned PTT (Post, Telephone, and Telegraph Operations) countered the broadcast with massive jamming operations.

On November 14, 1983, Radio LoRa finally received a broadcasting license and began broadcasting directly from the studios on Mainaustrasse in Zurich's Seefeld district.

Due to an arson attack, which remains unresolved to this day and resulted in the complete destruction of the studios, Radio LoRa relocated to Militärstrasse in Kreis 4 in 1989. Since the early 1990s, broadcasts have been transmitted from Üetliberg.

Life continues in the studios and workspaces on Militärstrasse: a program reform, technological innovations, a change in frequency, and many discussions on how to continue radio operations with political aspirations have moved and continue to move LoRa. Outside of daily radio programming, more and more projects and special programs are initiated, such as those on May 1st, March 8th, and June 14th.

Radio LoRa consists of the association Verein Radio LoRa and the Radio LoRa gAG, the non-profit corporation, of which the majority of shares are held by the association. The Radio LoRa non-profit corporation is responsible for operations, while all members, who in a democratic manner define the radio's strategic goals, are organized within the association. Membership in the association is open to all individuals. Radio LoRa is operated by people interested in participatory collective radio work. Opportunities for participation and decision-making exist at various levels of operation, with attention paid to the inclusion of minorities and gender equality.

The tasks involved in the operation of the radio are carried out in various bodies by elected members of the association:

• Association Board: The association's board is the contact point for members in case of problems with other members and handles corresponding complaints. Additionally, it is responsible for organizing and conducting the annual general meeting, the highest authority of the association.
• Board of Directors: The board of directors is responsible for operational and personnel matters. The various board members divide their work into the following departments: Personnel, Finance, Technology, Media Strategies, Contact with Authorities and Quality Management.
• Broadcasting Commission: Anything related to broadcasting operations and program design falls under the responsibility of the Broadcasting Commission. It approves broadcast concepts, special programs, provides feedback on broadcasts, and addresses content-related complaints.
• Operations Group: The Operations Group is appointed by the Board of Directors and holds the management function. Its mission is to ensure the daily broadcasting operations. You can find the areas of responsibility of each position and contact information here.

Would you like to get a taste of what it's like to be a member of one of our committees?