ORF under pressure: New head of the foundation announces hard cuts!

ORF under pressure: New head of the foundation announces hard cuts!

Wien, Österreich - Heinz Lederer was elected as the new chairman of the ORF foundation council. In his declaration of inaugure, he described the challenge of leading ORF in a tense financial environment. Kleine Zeitung reported that he has pointed out the high financial burdens by the legally frozen ORF contribution and warned of a "hot summer", in view of one Comprehensive savings packages.

The new chairman emphasized the need to avoid a personnel cutting and to receive the quality of the ORF program as a central component of the public law order. Lothar Lothar Lockl, who described Lederer as predestined for the role, will belong to the newly constituted board of trustees, who is composed of 35 members, whereby the SPÖ has gained influence. The ÖVP, on the other hand, has no majority in the committee.

composition of the foundation council

The members of the board of trustees include representatives of numerous parties and organizations, including DI Dr. Hildegard Aichberger, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ewald Aschauer and Mag. Jürgen Beilein. The other members include Gerhard Berti from the Central Works Council and Mag. Andrea Danmayr from the public council. A total of 35 members participate, with the FPÖ and the NEOS send three members each, while the Greens only have one seat. orf provides the details for the composition of the committee.

financial challenges and media policy

The challenges for ORF go beyond internal structures. ORF reports that the ORF reaches 80 % of the population from the age of 14, and 90 % use the offer at least once a week. Nevertheless, he is under strong political pressure. The FPÖ has made demands for reducing the ORF and the abolition of the ORF contribution. This budget financing could be effective in 2027 and strive for 15 % savings.

The financial savings could, however, lead to a minus of at least 100 million euros, which would result in both abbreviations for offer and a job cuts. Changes in the ORF law are also necessary after the Constitutional Court has lifted parts of this law.

Lederer also plans to open the board of trustees and introduce study days with media experts to discuss the future of the media location. This is particularly important at a time when media associations and editorial representatives warn of possible restrictions on freedom of the press.

With the new chairman and the challenges that the ORF faces, it will be observed excitingly how the coming months will be and what measures can be taken to secure the public law order and to stabilize the financial situation in the long term.