Association of Editors-in-Chief Warns of Threat to Press Freedom

In a statement, the Association of Editors-in-Chief pointed out that a high-ranking FPÖ politician had attacked the "Standard" following critical reporting and hinted at a reduction in press support, indicating a development "in a dangerous direction". The association calls on all political decision-makers - especially the future government - to commit to protecting press freedom.

Association of Editors-in-Chief Calls for Protection of Independent Journalism Over Party Interests

Press freedom is a cornerstone of any democracy. It guarantees that journalists can report independently and inform the population comprehensively free from political influence. However, this freedom is threatened, warn the editors-in-chief. They took the attack by the Viennese FPÖ chief Dominik Nepp on the "Standard" as an occasion for the warning. A few days ago, he responded to a critical report in the daily newspaper by demanding that its press funding be cut. He wrote of "five good years" once the "Standard" had been discontinued.

"We would like to point out that press support must not be a political tool for rewarding or punishing reporting. It serves to secure a pluralistic media system and is an essential instrument to ensure diversity of opinion and objective information in a democratic society", the editors-in-chief stated and reminded: "The protection of independent journalism must take precedence over party political interests."

"Whoever curtails the rights of independent media and replaces them with party media endangers press freedom. Press freedom is a civil right and a prerequisite for a functioning democracy. The freedom of the media is the freedom of all", says the association, which includes the editorial heads of "Presse", "Standard", APA, "Kleine Zeitung", "Kurier", "Salzburger Nachrichten", "Tiroler Tageszeitung", "Oberösterreichische Nachrichten", "Vorarlberger Nachrichten", "Heute", "Falter", "profil", "NÖN", "Furche", "News" and "trend".

FPÖ Denied Critical Media Access to Press Conference

The FPÖ's relationship with the critical media landscape has been tense for a long time. With a view to FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl as a possible Federal Chancellor and the party's media policy plans, the situation is coming to a head. Media representatives were denied access to a press conference, critical questions are sometimes not allowed there. The FPÖ increasingly relies on its own channels and party-affiliated far-right media, which have repeatedly attracted attention with conspiracy narratives. A central media policy project of the FPÖ is to reduce the ORF to a "basic service" and to abolish the ORF contribution in the form of a household levy. Instead, the public-law media house should be financed from the federal budget, which would increase the dependence on politics, experts have repeatedly warned. The FPÖ also wants to let its affiliated "alternative media", which stand out with fake news and conspiracy narratives, benefit from media funding.

ORF Editorial Team Warns of Political Interference

The ORF editorial board is alarmed at the plans. The editorial representatives fear that the future government wants to weaken or starve the ORF. However, it is certainly not in the interest of the audience if entire channels or program offers are cut, it was said in a circular to ORF journalists, which the "Standard" initially reported on Thursday. The FPÖ's "long-held plan" to replace the ORF household levy with funding from the federal budget is intended to create political control and dependence of the ORF. Several red lines have already been crossed, for example through threats against media or individual journalists. But the ORF editorial board appeals not to be afraid. No matter what comes, they will continue to work journalistically. Independence is a right and a duty. "We will not let anyone take this away from us, even if there are strong party political forces behind it." And: "Free and critical media are indispensable for a liberal, democratic country."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.