Eva Blimlinger, media spokeswoman for the Greens, welcomes Media Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP)’s preference on Friday for a device-independent household allowance instead of the current GIS allowance for the ORF.
“That was always the green model, even before the decision of the Constitutional Court,” she said when asked by APA. According to her, it is important “to strengthen the program mandate and to ensure independent and strong quality journalism”.
“Orf must decide on savings plans”
Raab emphasized that she can envision an “ORF contribution per household” against the background of the ORF’s harsh austerity measures. Where the public media company saves is up to them. Blimlinger shares this view: “The ORF has to decide on the savings plans, so the general manager and especially the board of directors, and here you see what the ORF presents.”
Specifically, it will be on Monday when ORF Director General Roland Weißmann presents his savings plans to the Board of Trustees as part of a special finance committee. For the coming years, there are rumors of savings of around 300 million euros, with the ORF emphasizing that a significant austerity course has already been followed in recent years.
Household rate lower than GIS rate
The conversion of ORF funding was necessitated by a decision of the Constitutional Court. The exclusive streaming of ORF programs will also have to be paid for from 2024. Until now, TV and radio program costs have been paid. In all probability, more households than now will have to contribute to public service broadcasting in the future. According to Raab, the amount to be paid should be lower than before.
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.
