Political parties that want to infiltrate and ruin public broadcasting are damaging democracy. Political parties that want to infiltrate and ruin public broadcasting are damaging democracy
Vienna (OTS) – Regarding the FPÖ’s internal chats on ORF that have now become known, the editorial board states:
The chats show a sad moral picture of how little political parties – especially the FPÖ – think of independent journalism. The ORF should be run by people who are acceptable to the party – or it should be trimmed down. That was the case when the FPÖ was involved in government and it is still the case today, as numerous public statements by the FPÖ have shown recently. Anyone who ruins independent journalism is damaging democracy.
Once again it shows that public demands from politicians – such as the end of party politics in the ORF – have nothing to do with what is actually being pushed forward in secret. Namely, to assert their own party interests in public broadcasting.
It is unfortunate that there are always people who ingratiate themselves with parties and hope to have a career in the ORF. This is a slap in the face to all journalists at ORF who stand for critical, objective and independent reporting.
The ORF editorial board
Dieter Bornemann, Simone Leonhartsberger, Peter Daser, Margit Schuschou
Questions & Contact:
Dieter Bornemann, M.A.
Chairman of the editorial board
dieter.bornemann@orf.at