Literal takeover of chats and co: ÖVP Minister Karoline Edtstadler wants to ban it, experiences a lot of opposition, but also support. However, the coalition partner remains strict in its rejection.
Karoline Edtstadler is not having an easy time. The ÖVP constitutional minister is exposed to intense criticism from the media and political opponents. Edstadler wants to enforce the so-called ‘ban on quoting’ from current investigation files. Journalists fear restrictions on press freedom.
Edtstadler tries to calcine
This week there was a background discussion about Edtstadler with numerous representatives of important media. The minister tried to de-escalate and calm the situation. It worked suboptimally. However, she stands by it. In the sense of the rights of the suspect, against “suspicious reporting” and prejudice.
The already legendary sentences “You get everything you want” or “You are the whore of the rich” would no longer surprise the audience. Edtstadler, on the other hand, wants to protect personal rights. Human rights.
No headlines, no facsimiles of sometimes private chats to “follow the call of the street”. Above all, entire files should not end up on platforms on the Internet. No one will object to that. Instead, the ÖVP wants the German model. Quotation ban, yes, but content may be transported.
Support for the minister
But why are the Greens, who are otherwise so strict on human rights, so against rewriting the content? The Ministry of Justice Alma Zadic says again that the quotation ban raises concerns about press freedom. “The ban will certainly not happen with the Greens.”
Unlike others in his profession, the famous lawyer Manfred Ainedter is absolutely with Karoline Edtstadler. “You can certainly write about a story, but you can’t facsimile it or quote it verbatim. Some journalists can still shout like that. This is contrary to the presumption of innocence. And that is especially necessary.” Investigations are not public. If the files continue to leak, a citation ban would be the least that could be done. The German model would also be suitable for Ainedter. “We need clear rules.”
Negotiations next week
Norbert Wess, lawyer in high-profile cases (note: cases that received major media attention) such as Buwog or now Benko/Signa, also warns against bias in the media. He would locate the problem in media law. Tightening violations of personal and sensitive content and data. So higher penalties. Ainedter: “A good approach. Still, I stand by it. There should be a ban on citing current research.”
It probably won’t happen anytime soon. The ÖVP is moving away from linking the quotation ban to the repair of the ‘media privilege’ ordered by the Constitutional Court on July 1. This concerns editorial confidentiality and source protection while taking data protection into account. Further negotiations on this will take place next week. The government parties are optimistic that an agreement will at least be reached here.
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.
