Privatrundfunk in danger: Media association warns of a dramatic situation!

Privatrundfunk in danger: Media association warns of a dramatic situation!

Mario Frühauf, the chairman of the Association of Austrian private broadcasters, comments concerned about the increasingly serious situation of private broadcasting in Austria. In a current statement, he criticizes the federal government's budgetary measures and its negative effects on the industry. Early it indicates that the economic situation of private TV and radio stations is considerably tightened, since international online platforms already take 60 % of advertising sales. In view of these challenges, he calls for adequate support for private broadcasting to ensure the diversity and quality of the media landscape. "We have to make sure that all parts of the media sector receive the necessary support," he emphasizes.

The problem becomes even more precarious if you consider the planned “investment obligation” for streaming providers to invest in Austrian film productions. Early and Corinna Drumm, the managing director of the VöP, comment on the fact that in -house productions for private broadcasters can hardly be financed and that the obligation could bring additional burdens. Drumm emphasizes that private broadcasting offers indispensable access to information, which underlines the high importance of these media forms in the everyday life of people.

requirement for balance

Early also demands from the Federal Government to ensure a balanced media funding. The current support focuses primarily on the print sector, while private broadcasting runs the risk of being pushed into the background. Federal Minister Babler, on the other hand, emphasizes the fundamental importance of a free, diverse and independent media landscape for democracy, which underlines the importance of the concerns of early

• In Austria there are various formal media funding that offer public and financial support for classic media. These include:
• private circuit promotion
• press promotion
• digital transformation promotion
• promotion of journalism (from 2024)

Private broadcasting funding, for example, provides for 25 million euros for commercial and 6.25 million euros for non -commercial private broadcasters. Early reminds that these funds are essential for a healthy media landscape.

The role of ORF and informal media funding

ORF, whose monthly contribution counts as public media funding, brings up to 710 million euros annually to meet the public mandate. This arouses the question of the fairness of the medium -sized distribution in the media sector. Informal media funding, such as the advertising books of public authorities, add up to around 400 million euros in 2024, of which the ORF and other important players also benefit. Early demands that politics react to these imbalances.

With regard to the challenges of digital change, digital transformation promotion has already given important impulses since 2022. However, there is concern that private radio in the digital era does not receive the support that it urgently needs. "We have to ensure that the measures in the field of media funding are future -oriented," Freiaufen finally appeals to the government.