A great headline on a topic that is particularly important to us and – presumably – our readers. A large picture and a few “bites” that arouse interest – this is how the front page of “Krone” usually presents itself.
In some cases, like other Austrian newspapers, we deviate from this arrangement – for example, when furniture dealers, banks or supermarket chains pay well for large-scale advertisements on the front pages of newspapers. Given the deteriorating economic situation in the domestic media industry, this money is little more than a few drops in the ocean – but it is still a support in the fight for the survival of independent media.
But a completely blank front page like today – that’s never happened before! And that with all major daily newspapers in Austria.
It is a loud collective protest on Press Freedom Day. Because with the amendment of the ORF law planned by the government, the state radio including the household contribution will be secured in the long term – while the air for the newspaper publishers is getting thinner and thinner, the medium “public service”, which is still allowed under state influence expand like an outspread octopus.
We are also protesting against this today with a blank front page. So that not all pages have to remain empty one day!
Source: Krone
I am George Kunkel, an author working for Today Times Live. I specialize in opinion pieces and cover stories that are both informative and thought-provoking – helping to shape public discourse on key issues. My work is regularly featured across the network’s many platforms, including print media and social media.
