FPÖ politician warns: Democracy in danger from secret machinations!

FPÖ politician warns: Democracy in danger from secret machinations!

Österreich - Mag. Katayun Pracer-Hilander, Member of the National Council of the FPÖ, has sharp criticism of the politics of the ÖVP and speaks of a "multi-front war" against the population. According to the Pracer-Hilander, this war leads to a systematic weakening of society as part of a long-term groaning process that favors the creeping transition from democracy to a centralistic-dictatorial structure of power. She complains that fundamental democratic values ​​are endangered under the pretext of a "fire wall against the right".

Development is alarming for the political and media landscape in Austria. Pracer-Hilander warns that critics are isolated and defamed, while the relationship between politics and the media is increasingly non-transparent and dependent. Journalists who can withstand pressure and pronounce uncomfortable truths are often stamped as "right", whereby the media in their opinion act as "dependent accomplices". These circumstances make objective reports difficult and saturate public perception with propaganda.

criticism of the media and their role in democracy

The importance of journalism in a democratic society is also emphasized by Professor Klaus Meier, who defines the role of the media as the "infrastructure of democracy". He emphasizes that a variety of voices are necessary to avoid polarizations and to offer a tested overview of different positions. In Austria, both the ORF and private media play a central role in information supply, whereby the ORF reaches 80% of the population from the age of 14.

The FPÖ has paid particular attention to media policy in the ongoing coalition negotiations with the ÖVP. While the FPÖ calls for a reduction in financial resources for ORF, it is also planning to expand its own media in order to create an alternative flow of information. Critics of the FPÖ fear that these measures could endanger media freedom and to continue the democratic infrastructure.

challenges for media freedom

The challenges with which media freedom is confronted are in the context of global erosion of democratic structures and the associated danger to freedom of the press. The World Press Freedom Index 2024 documents that 73% of the countries examined have a "difficult" or "very difficult" Situation for journalists. The digital transformation and geopolitical tensions also change the media landscape.

The working conditions for journalists have worsened with an increase in digital attacks and disinformation campaigns. Self -censorship due to the fear of repression is another serious problem. In Germany, three major media companies dominate over 42% of the digital news market, which illustrates the influence of large companies on public opinion.

In order to secure media freedom, measures are necessary. These include transparent owner structures, the promotion of media literacy in the population and international protective mechanisms for media professionals. Only through these initiatives can the future of media freedom be secured in a democratic context.