Struggle for public broadcasting: After the chat revelations about the FPÖ’s possible access to the editors, the call for a depoliticization of the foundation board is getting louder.
The grip of the FPÖ after the ORF creates excitement. And for calling for reform. Chats show co-optation attempts by the politicians running the board of trustees. “Outdated,” was the verdict of Daniela Kraus, head of the Concordia press club. She calls for a “long-awaited depoliticization of the most powerful medium”.
People should be “thrown out”
In 2018/19, former Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and fellow Blue campaigners such as the Chairman of the Foundation Council Norbert Steger bluntly communicated about people “should be thrown out of the country” and the need for an ORF law “where personnel changes and new appointments are possible!”
Evidence of what many have long suspected, but now see confirmed. Krauss believes that expertise should primarily rely on the 35-person supervisory board.
What do the parties say about the necessary reforms?
Editor-in-chief Matthias Schrom resigned after publishing conspiracy talks with Strache about opportunities to influence the ORF. Director General Roland Weißmann spoke of “devastating optics”, the staff is beside themselves and wants to be depoliticised. And the politics?
Opposition to party gossip
“We have been arguing for a reform discussion for a long time,” says Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ). He wants transparent nomination processes for the Executive Board, where international candidates can also apply. There is also a need for NGO involvement and science against party gossip. The NEOS are for general depoliticisation, “an independent ORF as a cornerstone of democracy and not as a pawn of party politics,” says Henrike Brandstötter.
The Greens want to downsize the supervisory board and change nomination rights. Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) reluctantly: “A reform of committees is not planned in the government program.” Christian Hafenecker emphasizes that his FPÖ has long advocated a genuine ORF reform. It is not objectionable that the FPÖ is discussing implementation. In contrast to the “hypocritical scandal”.
Green head of the supervisory board is open to change
In May, FPÖ man Steger handed over the chairmanship of the foundation board to the Groene Lothar Lockl. He is open to reform and definitely has a different idea of independence from his predecessor. When leaving, he said he had never opposed the privatization of the ORF. The ORF continues to provide exciting entertainment.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
