Coalition Negotiations: ORF Chief Weißmann Appeals to Parties
In a letter available to the APA, ORF boss Roland Weißmann addressed the government negotiators and emphasized that in times of misinformation, public broadcasting is "indispensable".
ORF Boss Weißmann Warns of Increasing Danger from Disinformation
The media landscape is at a "crossroads" due to rapid technological developments and actors such as Big Tech, as well as the increasing danger of disinformation, warns the ORF Director General. Democracy is directly threatened. Public broadcasting ensures the diversity and quality of information as well as social cohesion. The ORF has proven this in its long history and has also transformed itself in a future-oriented way, writes Weißmann. "With its reach, technological innovation and unparalleled commitment to Austrian culture, sports and regional identity, the ORF creates added value that is hard to replace," says the media manager, pointing to the ORF savings of recent years as evidence of "efficiency and adaptability".
ORF Saved Hundreds of Millions of Euros
Specifically, the ORF has already saved around 350 million euros over the past and coming years by capping the ORF contribution. Since 2007, more than 950 ORF employees have been cut. The lowest salary settlements in Austria have been achieved several times and cost reductions amounting to 453 million euros have been made between 2017 and 2021, the ORF boss lists. And: "In order for the ORF to be able to balance its finances beyond 2026 - despite a very moderately planned valorisation of the ORF contribution - substantial savings measures are already planned in our medium-term plans, both in the area of personnel and material costs," he assures. He appeals to the government negotiators to "shape the framework conditions for the domestic media location and the ORF in such a way that all Austrians can continue to rely on a strong, pluralistic and reliable media landscape in the future". "Sustainable and economical financing and the expansion of cooperation with private media" are essential building blocks for strengthening the media location, according to Weißmann.
Report on Agreement on ORF Committee Reform
The ÖVP's plan to block an ORF fee increase from 2027 is not agreed with SPÖ and NEOS, according to the "Standard". On the other hand, the negotiators have reportedly agreed to send three fewer trustees from the federal government in the future in response to the finding of the Constitutional Court (VfGH) that the government has too much weight in the appointment of ORF committees. A reform of the ORF bodies should also take place in the near future, with the NEOS emphasizing that they definitely want to work out a "proper committee reform".
(APA/Red)
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