Galant Limits Subsidy Cuts for Radio Creation in Wallonia-Brussels
Media Minister Jacqueline Galant has announced that subsidies for radio creation in the French-speaking Community of Belgium (FWB) will decrease by 17.3% in 2026, rather than the feared 75% cut. The final allocation for new radio projects stands at €373,869, down from €452,200 in 2025. This adjustment was achieved through a triple supplement strategy, including funds redirected from private operators' advertising contributions and one-off budget shifts. The broader Radio Creation Assistance Fund (FACR) received a total of €1.39 million, with allocations also designated for socio-cultural associative radios and digital radio marketing via maradio.be. Despite mitigating the immediate crisis, the government acknowledges structural deficits within the FACR, attributed to declining radio advertising revenues since 2019 and previous policy decisions diverting funds to digital infrastructure. Consequently, the government plans to review the Fund’s operations and missions in 2027 following consultations with sector stakeholders to ensure long-term financial balance.
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Galant Limits Subsidy Cuts for Radio Creation in Wallonia-Brussels
Media Minister Jacqueline Galant has announced that subsidies for radio creation in the French-speaking Community of Belgium (FWB) will decrease by 17.3% in 2026, rather than the feared 75% cut. The final allocation for new radio projects stands at €373,869, down from €452,200 in 2025. This adjustment was achieved through a triple supplement strategy, including funds redirected from private operators' advertising contributions and one-off budget shifts. The broader Radio Creation Assistance Fund (FACR) received a total of €1.39 million, with allocations also designated for socio-cultural associative radios and digital radio marketing via maradio.be. Despite mitigating the immediate crisis, the government acknowledges structural deficits within the FACR, attributed to declining radio advertising revenues since 2019 and previous policy decisions diverting funds to digital infrastructure. Consequently, the government plans to review the Fund’s operations and missions in 2027 following consultations with sector stakeholders to ensure long-term financial balance.
Le Soir