Concern About Media Freedom: Only a Quarter Believe in Independence
Trust in Austria's media is shaken, and concern about their independence is high. This is shown by a new survey from "Das Zielgruppen Büro" commissioned by the stakeholder conference "Eight Tables for the Fourth Estate". Only a quarter of respondents affirm that most media are free from political influence. In contrast, three-quarters believe that politics, in particular, uses advertisements to influence reporting.
Concern for Free Press
For the representative study, 1,000 people aged 16 and over were surveyed online from the end of September. 42 percent of participants fully or somewhat agree that they trust most media in Austria. However, about two-thirds are concerned about professional journalism in light of budget cuts, the reduction of journalistic positions, and pressure on the industry.
Only a Quarter See Media Free from Political Influence
Specifically regarding the independence of media, a clear majority of survey participants (70 percent) express concern. Only 24 percent are completely or somewhat sure that most media in this country are free from political influence. Only 34 percent attest to the industry's independence from economic interests.
Seven out of ten respondents believe that reporting is influenced by the allocation of advertisements. Three-quarters affirm that this influence is particularly exerted by politics. 71 percent believe that politics must take measures to strengthen the independence of the media, but only 46 percent want them to also allocate funds for this purpose.
Results as a Basis for Discussion
The survey results are intended to serve as a basis for discussion for the two-day conference "Eight Tables for the Fourth Estate". In mid-November, on the initiative of the association "A Promise of the Republic" and the "Datum" Foundation for Journalism and Democracy, 64 representatives from areas such as media management, science, politics, and civil society will come together. The goal is to rethink the future of the media landscape and to develop visions and concrete recommendations for action. The results will be published afterward.
(APA/Red)
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