As an editor, Dasch campaigned throughout his life for freedom of the press and the associated freedom of every individual, liberal democracy, human rights, the social market economy and the rule of law, according to an obituary in the newspaper on Thursday.
Max Dasch was born on June 15, 1946 in Salzburg as the son of Max and Katharina Dasch. His father, together with Gustav Canaval, was the founder and long-time managing director and publisher of the “Salzburger Nachrichten”. Max Dasch studied philosophy at the University of Vienna and completed his studies in 1971 with a doctorate. He entered the newspaper industry at the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. He then became advertising manager of the “Salzburger Nachrichten” and three years later managing director. After his father’s death in 1977, he became a partner in the “Salzburger Nachrichten”, and from 1982 also its publisher.
Supervisory Board of the Austria Press Agency
Max Dasch also made a name for himself as a member of the supervisory board and board of directors of the Austria Press Agency and as a board member and president of the Association of Austrian Newspapers (1997 to 2001). He played a key role in the founding of the newspaper in school association, the tele-magazine publisher and the media analysis association.
The “SN” led Dasch from a regional newspaper to an Austria-wide quality newspaper and in 1989, with the expansion to the Austrian edition, laid the foundation for the publisher’s further expansion. In 1979 he founded Salzburger Verlagshaus GmbH with its six weekly newspapers. His milestones also include the construction of the Salzburg printing center (1991) and the press center on Karolingerstrasse (1994). For his achievements, Dasch was awarded, among other things, the Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria and the Ring of Honor of the State of Salzburg.
“He never exploited his power over his employees, he didn’t order any stories and he certainly didn’t ban any. You have to look for that kind of restraint in a powerful person,” said Manfred Perterer, editor-in-chief of “SN”.
