On Friday, the National Council approved a new funding pot for quality journalism. 20 million euros are available for this. To get the money, the media must meet certain criteria, such as a wide range of content.
Of the 20 million euros, 15 are intended to support journalism. These funds should benefit not only print media, but also pure online media, provided they meet certain criteria. This includes a minimum reach, a broad spectrum of content and at least three full-time journalists. Daily newspapers must have at least six full-time editors. For weeklies and magazines, two are sufficient. Party media and news agencies cannot receive money from the new funding pot.
The specific funding amount is based, among other things, on the number of journalists employed according to the collective labor agreement and other criteria. Other approved funds will go, among other things, to training and further training in media companies, media competence, research and to the Austrian Press Council. The funding for the Press Council will be increased from approximately 150,000 euros to 230,000 euros.
Criticism from NEOS and SPÖ
However, the NEOS lack “clearly defined quality criteria”. The government still owes “a long-term release.” In the past, “changing governments have provided completely wrong incentives,” NEOS media spokeswoman Henrike Brandstötter said. The SPÖ is also not completely satisfied. The response to the “crisis in the media industry due to sky-high printing and paper prices” did not come quickly enough. In general, not only text-based media should be promoted.
For the journalists’ union in the GPA union, the 20 million euros per year is not enough. Chairman Eike-Clemens Kullmann also called for improvements in the text, such as recognizing the Press Council as a financing criterion. The Association of Austrian Newspapers (VÖZ) was happy with the decision. The goal now is “to process and pay out the funding to the media as quickly and unbureaucratically as possible,” said Media Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP).
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.
