The allegations against the ORF Lower Austria must now be clarified quickly. The commission that has been set up will start its work today. It is hoped that the bundle of documents will be viewed. Witnesses must also be questioned.
He would like the cause to be clarified as soon as possible. No wonder, because the allegations of political interference occupy ORF’s managing director, Roland Weißmann, for the second time in a few weeks.
Matthias Schrom, editor-in-chief of ORF TV News, had to resign because of a chat affair. Another bang a few days ago. The state studio of Lower Austria is said to be under the enormous influence of the state governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
Weißmann hopes for liberation
Weißmann hopes to deliver a liberating blow by setting up an evaluation committee. She should clarify what is wrong with the allegations against the director of Landstudio in Lower Austria, Robert Ziegler. The first session will already take place today.
The Commission’s plan is as follows: Work orders will come first. The media that initiated the case are requested to make their collection of documents available to the Commission in confidence. Witnesses are invited for questioning.
ORF Lower Austria: Thurnher is now in charge of the information department
During the exam, Ingrid Thurnher leads the information department of the Landesstudio Niederösterreich. “This decision ensures clear reporting during the election campaign in Lower Austria,” said Weißmann.
Ziegler’s suspension is also ruled out for Lockl
ORF Foundation Council chair Lothar Lockl also welcomes the solution, a “comprehensive investigation”. Suspension from Ziegler is out of the question for Weißmann or Lockl.
The state governors and the ORF state studios – that’s a long history. Before a provincial governor is appointed, each provincial governor has the right to be heard. “Every governor handles this right differently. Some say: I don’t interfere at all. Others say no head of the state studio will be appointed without approval,” an insider said.
Daily calls from the Headquarters’ offices
And complaints are not always about political intervention. “Often the governor’s office managers are concerned about the presence in the ORF,” says a former ORF employee of the press spokesman’s daily calls to the studios. “I’ve seen the office manager yell at the culture editor because the governor didn’t appear in an article about a cultural event,” she says.
Besides the problems with political interventions, Weißmann also fights against the financial problems at Küniglberg. Due to inflation, there will be a financial gap of 325 million euros by 2026. Since the mood at the ÖVP is not good at the moment, the question is whether the government will help the ORF.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
