[wodenokoto]

> Or is even radio run by the state in Norway?

As a Scandinavian, that is kinda fun to read. Of course Radio is state run. I still get surprised when I hear commercials on the privately owned stations. Private radio stations pretty much became a thing after I grew up and stopped listening to Radio.

When I was a kid, there were maybe one commercial station and they didn't air in my city. Commercial TV-station were still mostly broadcasting from England, due to the former state monopoly.

To many Scandinavians this is the most natural thing in the world.

[Raphmedia]

This makes a lot more sense. The article came off as a ban on FM. It's actually only that the state will no longer put money into FM radio and infrastructure.

[gpvos]

> The article came off as a ban on FM.

Interesting cultural difference; I would never have it interpreted it like that. I did wonder whether the commercial stations would also leave FM. A large country like Norway is likely to have only state broadcasting in its more remote areas, but additionally commercial broadcasters in the more populated regions.

[kwhitefoot]

As far as I can tell the commercial stations are leading the way.

[semi-extrinsic]

> Commercial TV-station were still mostly broadcasting from England

Apart from TV2 I think they all still are? Mainly to avoid restrictions on content in commercials (Norwegian ban on online gambling commercials etc).

[winter_blue]

> Commercial TV-station were still mostly broadcasting from England, due to the former state monopoly. To many Scandinavians this is the most natural thing in the world

A state monopoly is a restriction on freedom.

I'm fairly libertarian-leaning (on some issues), and what you're saying sounds to me like: "our lack of freedom is the most natural thing in the world".

It's like a slave who's lived in slavery all his life saying that "slavery is the most natural thing in the world". Doesn't matter if the slave master has treated the slave well and given him/her a comfortable life.

A law that prevents private television broadcasters from existing is a violation of the people's freedom to organize and form their own broadcast networks.

I find your acceptance and nonchalance at this honestly quite disturbing.

There's nothing natural in a state monopoly. It's a restriction on individual freedom, and it's as simple as that.

The thing I find unnatural is people not caring about their freedom, and willingly (and happily) surrendering it over to the state.

[wodenokoto]

Just to be clear, you are not "fairly" libertarian-leaning, you are very libertarian-leaning.