Secretary General Olga Voglauer identified an attack on media freedom in a press conference and emphasized: “This violence bears Herbert Kickl’s signature.” She called on “all constructive forces” in the country to stand up once morest it.
“We’ve really gotten to the point where in Austria you get punched in the mouth if you report on an FPÖ event,” said Voglauer, dismayed: “That’s the path that Herbert Kickl took.” The violence in the language of Kickl and the FPÖ ultimately leads to violence in actions. This is not an isolated case either, “there is a system to it.”
Voglauer recalled that ORF satirist Peter Klien was put in a headlock at an FPÖ event or that – according to a “Standard” report on Friday – right-wing media allegedly attacked journalists in the EU Parliament at the invitation of Austrian representatives.
“Don’t leave it to destructive forces”
Free media have a control function, are the fourth pillar of democracy and keep an eye on those in power, but also other politicians. “Unfortunately, we now know that if you want to look at the FPÖ, you might get a fist in the face,” said Voglauer. “We will not leave this republic to the destructive forces of Herbert Kickl,” she emphasized, and: “We will not let this right-wing extremist party take away our freedoms.” Kickl has long since made it impossible to talk to the FPÖ: “He doesn’t want that. He wants to drive a wedge into society, divide, incite. We’re not available for that.”
He was insulted and had water poured on him
According to Puls24’s report, one of his teams was approached by several people on the sidelines of the meeting, including members of the FPÖ party youth and the right-wing extremist Identitarians. After attempting to interview demo participants, the Puls24 team, which was invited by the FPÖ itself, was surrounded and filmed with cell phones, hindered in its work, insulted, pushed and doused with water. FPÖ officials, including former state parliament member Leo Kohlbauer, finally calmed the outraged people and pointed out that participants in a public event might very well be filmed.
The attack caused outrage on X (formerly Twitter). “Citizens have the right to know what happens at party events,” emphasized the Concordia press club. It is good that FPÖ officials intervened in this case. The party must now urgently stop its verbal attacks on journalists “who help provoke such attacks.”
Fritz Hausjell, president of the Austrian section of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), called for consequences from the demonstration organizers and the Vienna State Police, saying the incident was “a clear attack on press freedom.” After incidents at demonstrations in recent years, the Ministry of the Interior must adequately ensure reporting. Criticism also came from the NEOS. “Friends of Putin and a free press – that doesn’t go together,” commented the Pink Party’s top EU candidate and former “Kurier” editor-in-chief Helmut Brandstätter.
