2023-04-26 17:17:14
ORF Director General Weißmann: “Important foundations laid for sustainable further development of the ORF, ORF must consistently continue the austerity course!”
Vienna (OTS) – The draft laws for the new regulation of ORF financing in the form of an “ORF contribution” and a digital amendment to the ORF law are being examined. The ORF welcomes the two legislative proposals.
“The decision to make an ORF contribution (household fee) creates an essential basis for future-proof further development of the ORF. The financing of the ORF and its independence are secured in the long term. With the digital amendment, which represents a compromise between the market participants, the offers for the public in core areas of public law can now be strengthened,” emphasizes ORF Director General Roland Weißmann: “The negotiations were long and tough, but also fair, and the result is especially in the interests of the audience, the ORF is becoming more digital, more Austrian but also cheaper for every paying household. The ORF’s transformation process from a public service broadcaster to a public service platform can be advanced and the ORF can become even more of an ORF for everyone in Austria. In addition, I am pleased that the continued existence of the radio symphony orchestra is secured. Nevertheless, the ORF is facing major challenges and must consistently continue its austerity course.”
ORF no longer receives funds: “ORF contribution” capped with net costs of the public service mandate
The future “ORF contribution” of €15.30 (instead of the previous €18.59) basically ensures that the ORF receives the funds it needs to implement its statutory mandates. These “net costs of the public service mandate” are capped and checked by the regulatory authority, KommAustria. Should more funds be raised with the “ORF contribution” in the future, these will be transferred to a blocked account to which the ORF has no access. In addition, the ORF options in the areas of radio and online will be further restricted. The ORF does not receive any more funding than before.
The economic management of the ORF is checked by the board of trustees, the media authority, the audit committee and the court of auditors. The ORF is thus one of the most strictly tested companies in the country.
ORF must continue the austerity course
The sustainable reorganization of the ORF financing does not change the fact that the ORF must continue to operate economically and close the financing gap of around 300 million by 2026 on its own. In the past 15 years, the ORF has cut around 1,000 permanent positions and saved 450 million euros in material and personnel costs in the past five years.
In the digital area, the ORF’s legal scope for action is being further developed. The digital amendment enables the ORF to tailor its offers in core public service areas even more closely to the requirements of the public. This is ensured, among other things, by longer availability of ORF video and audio content on the digital platforms. On news.orf.at, the video content will be expanded and the range of texts will be limited.
Questions & contact:
ORF marketing and communication
(01) 87878 – DW 12228
presse.ORF.at
1682529878
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