2024-01-03 13:35:05
“ÖVP and FPÖ media policy means weakening the ORF and putting a curb on journalism”
Vienna (OTS/SK) – SPÖ media spokeswoman Muna Duzdar sharply criticizes ÖVP media minister Raab, who is de facto canceling the necessary ORF committee reform for turquoise-green today. “The Constitutional Court upheld a complaint from the state of Burgenland and found that the dominant influence of the government, or rather the ÖVP chancellor party, on the ORF committees is unconstitutional. This violates the ORF’s independence. It is therefore the government’s task to present a committee reform that corresponds to the Constitutional Court ruling and ensures more independence. But the ÖVP obviously doesn’t want that because they don’t want to and can’t reach an agreement with the Greens. “Raab is apparently hoping for a black-blue government in which the ÖVP and FPÖ can implement a policy once morest the independence of the ORF,” says Duzdar. ****
“The media minister cannot stop work nine months before the election date,” criticizes the SPÖ media spokeswoman. It is to be feared that if there is a black-blue majority, the ÖVP and FPÖ will carry out a “reform” that actually amounts to a weakening of independent public journalism. “The FPÖ has a media policy goal: to destroy the ORF. And the ÖVP is always happy to be there when the ORF needs to be reined in.”
In any case, the SPÖ is calling for rapid implementation of the Constitutional Court ruling and committee reform for more independence and transparency:
– Less chancellor influence in an upgraded public council
– Board of Trustees: Less government influence and a functional supervisory body
– Secret elections and qualified majorities
– More audience in the public council
– Transparent personnel decisions and public hearings
Regarding the ORF contribution, Duzdar once once more reiterated the SPÖ’s demands: rapid repair of the turquoise-green household tax by expanding the exemptions from the ORF contribution and free ORF for all young people up to 24 who live in their own household. (End) ah/lp
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