Scandal around ORF: Justice lets proceedings against Ziegler and Sobotka rest

Scandal around ORF: Justice lets proceedings against Ziegler and Sobotka rest

In a surprising turn, the judiciary has processed the report of the freedom parliamentary club against the former editor -in -chief of ORF Lower Austria, Robert Ziegler. The advertisement, which was submitted on September 23, was forwarded to the St. Pölten public prosecutor's office just two days later. On September 25, the public prosecutor announced that it will not initiate an investigation after examining the allegations. Christian Hafenecker, media spokesman for the FPÖ, commented on this and described this quick reaction as noticeable.

"The party-political influence of reporting by Ziegler, which contradicts all provisions of the ORF law, does not seem to be an issue for the judiciary," said Hafenecker. He found it remarkable that the judiciary in this matter made a decision so quickly to be kept secret for over a year during the investigation report on Ziegler's work. The FPÖ leadership is suspected that both the delay and the acceleration may have been favored by the influence of circles close to the ÖVP.

background to influence

The allegations made by the FPÖ refer to alleged "paid orders in return for pleasant reporting". Ziegler had helped the former National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka and apparently received a moderation order as a "thank you" from the Alois Mock Institute, which heads Sobotka. Hafenecker accused the judiciary that the suspicion had been cleared in just two days for which the advertisement was submitted. "It is a mystery to me how to rule out this suspicion in such a short time," he said.

The public prosecutor has not yet commented on the seriousness of the accusations. This has led to further resentment within the FPÖ, which is concerned about the possible influence of the ÖVP. Hafenecker continued to comment on the decision for Sobotka, who is now retiring

whether and how these developments will influence future reporting at ORF and the relationships between the political parties remains to be seen. The events related to Ziegler and the FPÖ could raise major questions about the independence of reporting, especially when it comes to state and party political influences. A current article .