State Radio Station Not For Sale

Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Illugi Gunnarsson has confirmed that state radio station Rás 2 will not be sold.

Illugi was asked in an interview published in today’s Fréttablaðið supplement, Markaðinn, whether selling the radio station was in the cards.

“Where the sale of Rás 2 is concerned, I think it’s something that wouldn’t solve the problem we’re facing right now,” he said. “That would be a decision people want to take if they don’t want state broadcasting to provide this kind of service anymore.”

While state broadcasting company RÚV is in financial trouble, Illugi said he would prefer to examine how much involvement the government should lend to RÚV, and in what ways.

As reported, Progressive MP and Chairperson of the Budget Committee Vigdís Hauksdóttir recently said she believed selling Rás 2 would generate revenue for the state.

“The best thing would be if it were possible to sell Rás 2 and maybe get some money into the treasury,” she said. “All options are open. Now we have to take a good look at the situation, because the very last option where this is concerned is to pump more money into RÚV.”