ORF board of directors Peter Westenthaler (FPÖ) considers the medium’s budget levy to be unlawful (see video above). The politician referred to a lawyer’s letter signed, among others, by the former board of BZÖ, Alexander Scheer. Westenthaler called for a special meeting of the ORF committee.
There is no legally compliant ORF contribution because the procedure for determining the amount was not changed when the law was reformed. The board has not determined the amount. The letter states that 15.30 euros per month was only defined as an upper limit. Once even one decision is overturned by the judge, there could be an obligation to repay all contributions received so far, Westenthaler said on Tuesday. There are currently several proceedings against the budget levy.
The administrative effort is high
The ORF and the federal government should have introduced budgetary financing. For private households, the amount of the levy is in any case unreasonable, and for the media company the discussion about its administration is unbearable.
Criticism also came from Christian Hafenecker, secretary general and media spokesman of the FPÖ. There is politicization against the Freedom Party, it is a “political fighting body.” “One already has the impression that the ORF is participating as a party in the elections for the National Council against the FPÖ. We will demonstrate this regularly and take a closer look at how the ORF develops politically in the future,” said Hafenecker.
NEOS: FPÖ dreams “of a media landscape like in Hungary”
NEOS media spokesperson Henrike Brandstötter described the statements as “not surprising”. The FPÖ dreams ‘of a media landscape like Orbán’s in Hungary.’ However, she also spoke about the fact that the ORF must finally be depoliticized to “dodge the constant stream of criticism.”
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.
