ORF in change: Mena demands reforms and transparency for contributors
ORF in change: Mena demands reforms and transparency for contributors
In the context of the current discussion about public service broadcasting in Austria, Sebastian Bohrn Mena speaks up and expresses his views on the role of ORF. In a comment on Oe24 Mena explains that he appreciates the news programs, interviews and analyzes of the ORF and will be available to pay the budget. Nevertheless, he is unable to ignore the high fees for managers and breakfast directors. Mena asks: "Where's the say in the contribution payer?"
He calls for a comprehensive total reform of the ORF, including radical depoliticization at all levels, a maximum salary limit of a maximum of 150,000 euros gross per year and a ban on side jobs for employees. Mena emphasizes that it should be an honor and privilege to work for public service broadcasting. He also warns of the consequences that threaten if no reforms are implemented.
reform needs and public discussion
The problem is also taken up by media scientist Josef Seethaler, who in a report on questioned the role of public service broadcast and criticizes a lack of lower reflection and an overall concept. Seethaler emphasizes that it is necessary to find a balance between public law, private and non-commercial media providers. This becomes all the more important because the new ORF legislation should include savings and program changes.
The new restrictions for orf.at. Seethaler criticizes the weekly limitation to 350 articles and calls for more interactivity and the integration of the audience into online formats. The ORF editorial board and the opposition are dissatisfied with the planning, in particular the restrictions on reporting, which result from savings of 325 million euros and the exposed valorization of the budget tax.
These developments lead to a worrying decline in financial resources for ORF, which could endanger independence and quality of journalism. The editorial council therefore demands more financial and political independence, while the union demands more investments in the media market. Church representative Christoph Riedl expresses himself positively about the budget, but shows skepticism towards the savings requirements.
The role of the federal government
At the political level, ÖVP media spokesman Kurt Egger praises the work of the federal government to ensure media location and independent journalism. However, the current reform efforts are controversial, in particular with regard to the question of how these will affect the value of the content.
In this current process, it is crucial to listen to the opinions and concerns of experts, as Dr. Jan Christopher Kalbhenn, who is a professor of public law at the federal university in Münster. His research focuses on media law and public service broadcasting, which enriches the discourse on the reforms and provides valuable perspectives from the academic world, as on the website of the Otto Brenner Foundation . The current challenges show how essential is a considered and integrative reform design for the future of the ORF.
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| Ort | Münster, Deutschland |
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