The government appears keen to close down 75% of the FM radios that stretch across Spain for the amusing reason that they are illegal. These 'pirate' radios make up 3000 of the 4200 FM broadcasters across the country, whose permits must come from the regional autonomy. To get a permit, one must needs wait until the autonomy opens a rare 'window' with so and so many licences available. There were three offered in this province last year as part of this ongoing process. All went to political friends (PSOE connections). So, to get a licence, you need to post a bond of 80,000 euros, and be approved by the regional authority (take that as you read it). Our COPE (conservative) station in Mojácar had its licence and frequency removed a few years back... to be given to a new untried group of friends who opened a branch of the SER (a pro PSOE broadcaster).
Fines for illegal radios - those that get denounced (!) - vary from 60,000 to 610,000 euros, depending on the whim of the autonomy.
Now, if the government in fact goes ahead with closing down all the 'illegals' - despite digital radio which gives more than enough room for them all - then we will probably lose all the English-language radios here (who appear in my opinion to run programs made more for 'exiles' than for 'settlers') and, of course, many Spanish broadcasters.
But, worse still, this absurd 'socialist' government will put another fifteen thousand people out of work.