Lothar Lockl resigns as ORF Foundation Council Chairman

Lothar Lockl resigns as ORF Foundation Council Chairman

Vienna, Österreich - Lothar Lockl will settle his post as chairman of the ORF foundation council in June 2025. The withdrawal takes place due to the "enormous expenditure of time" of his voluntary work, which is no longer compatible with his obligations as a strategy and communication consultant. During his five -year membership in the Board of Trustees, including three years as chairman, Lockl, among other things, initiated the successful new digital offers of the ORF and further improved the company's financing base. He described it as a "privilege" of working for the ORF and its audience. Lockl will remain in office until the new constitution of the Board of Trustees and express confidence that a competent successor will be chosen in order to continue to master the organizational challenges of the ORF in the future. This reports vienna.at .

The new elections in the Board of Trustees are in the context of a reform based on a knowledge of the Constitutional Court. The next ORF boss is also to be elected in the upcoming period. In the event of a tie, the voice of the chairman will be decisive. At the same time, the Federal Government is currently looking for six new members for the board of trustees, whereby the application period ends until May 5, 2025. Expertise in media economy, business administration, communication, media law or controlling, as well as a balanced gender ratio. A special responsibility will also be held on the future members because they are sent from various institutions, including the ORF Voice Council, State Governments, the ORF Center and the National Council parties.

Farewell and recognition

Lockl's last official appearance as an ORF foundation council chairman will take place on June 16, 2025 during the constituent meeting of the new committee. Among other things, the new filling of committees for finances, technology and program are due. Lockl was chosen without a vote during his term in 2022 and has always been committed to successfully mastered the challenges in the media area. Kurier reports, that Lockl, who was previously the federal party secretary of the Greens and worked as a campaign manager for Alexander van der Bellen, attaches great importance to a smooth handover of his tasks. Politicians have already responded: Green Party leader Werner Kogler and media spokeswoman Sigrid Maurer thanked Lockl for his commitment and responsibility, while FPÖ media spokesman Christian Hafenecker brought him critical tones.

regardless of the criticism, the popularity of the ORF remains undisputed. Lockl emphasizes that despite the internationally grown media competition, over 85 percent of the population in Austria use at least one ORF offer every day. These figures illustrate the central role of ORF in the Austrian media market. In the upcoming realignment and consolidation of the ORF bodies, the public expects a competent dynamic to continue to ensure high-quality reporting in the future. The members of the Board of Trustees, to which Lothar Lockl also includes.