The attack by a guard of FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl on ORF satirist Peter Klien sparked widespread outrage. For Media Minister Raab, the incident shows that Kickl is “trampling on our freedom of the press.” The SPÖ and the Greens also condemned the attack and criticized the free treatment of journalists.
The act of violence took place last weekend during the Oktoberfest in Hartberg. Video recorded for Klien’s satirical ORF show on Friday evening shows the satirist approaching Kickl, at which point a security guard drags Klien away and puts him in a headlock. When he tries to approach again, security pushes the satirist away and says, “Go away. No one wants you here.”
Raab blames Kickl directly
The guard’s behavior was strongly condemned by Media Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP), who directly accused FPÖ President Herbert Kickl of it. Such attacks are “completely unacceptable,” she told the Crown. Anyone who uses violence against journalists endangers our democracy and free society,” Raab said. Kickl “once again shows that he is trampling on our freedom of the press and is a danger to Austria,” the minister said.
Christian Stocker, secretary general of the People’s Party, was also furious. “The Kickl-FPÖ apparently only knows how to help itself with violence. But one thing is clear: violence is never the right solution in a democracy.’ For Sigrid Maurer, leader of the Green Party, the attack “once again shows the Freedom Party and Herbert Kickl’s contempt for democratic rights.” SPÖ leader Andreas Babler also condemned the attack. Intimidating journalists with the aim of preventing criticism is a system within the FPÖ. “No state can be created with this FPÖ and this ‘People’s Chancellor’,” he said.
“Unbearable”
The “Association of European Journalists” (AEJ) expressed shock that such an incident could happen in Austria in 2023. “AEJ Austria” called it an intolerable attack on media freedom. The ORF, which made the attack public on Friday morning, the day Klien’s “Gute Nacht Österreich” was broadcast, condemned the “aggressive behavior.” The ORF editorial staff also denounced the violence against the journalist.
FPÖ: “Klien wanted to storm the bus”
The FPÖ, on the other hand, followed up on the broadcasts and tried to turn the tables. “Nothing is too embarrassing for this ORF anymore,” said FPÖ media spokesman Christian Hafenecker. The ORF broadcast was apparently “a desperate attempt to get the Klien show some more ratings,” he speculated, describing it as a “snorting production.” According to Hafenecker, Klien wanted to ‘storm’ the FPÖ bus. He defended the security guard, who was just doing his job: “If anyone behaved aggressively here, it is probably Peter Klien.”
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.
