Social media etc.

New code of ethics to put the brakes on ORF stars

Peter Westenthaler, member of the Board of Trustees, announced that he wanted to prolong the meeting with questions, but everything proceeded normally and in a civilized manner.(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

A new code of ethics was the central topic of the ORF Foundation Council on Thursday afternoon. Five recommendations were made, which are primarily intended to keep the social media activities and additional income of ORF stars in check. A directive will be issued to employees in March.

In the next few days, ORF employees will receive an instruction that clarifies, among other things, that the approval of their supervisor must be obtained for any additional income and that their own social media presence must not harm ORF. Otherwise there may be consequences under labor law. There will also be training courses.

Guidelines do not go far enough for everyone
This code of ethics was presented to the ORF Board of Trustees in the afternoon. During some heated discussions, it also became clear that it did not go far enough for everyone, as there is still no cap on fringe benefits, for example. However, Director General Roland Weißmann wants to examine whether it would be conceivable to handle additional income exclusively via the "ORF Stars" platform.

SPÖ Foundation Councillor Heinz Lederer would have liked clearer rules: "It is wishful thinking that this code will clearly reduce ancillary income." Chairman of the Board of Trustees Lothar Lockl, on the other hand, was satisfied: "The Code provides more clarity in the interests of all, strengthening trust in the ORF."

Thomas Zach, Head of the ÖVP Circle of Friends on the Board of Trustees, said that the Code of Ethics marked "a turning point for the acceptance of our audience".

Neo-Foundation Council member Peter Westenthaler from the FPÖ was more tame than threatened in advance, he initiated a discussion on the budget levy and would like to see renegotiations on this, which, however, are not within the remit of the Foundation Council. In any case, he wanted to bring about a "sensitization" in the Foundation Board, whereby he "absolutely" advocated a depoliticization of the highest ORF body: "I am the first to say that we should dissolve the Foundation Board in its current form," said Westenthaler, referring to a ruling by the Constitutional Court (VfGH), according to which the appointment of the ORF bodies was carried out with too much influence from the government.

Like the Code of Ethics, the publication of ORF salaries - from 170,000 euros per year, including names - is expected at the end of March. "I am currently assuming that we will have to publish the transparency report," said Weißmann and warned against an envy debate. According to the ORF boss, 50 to 60 ORF employees are probably affected by the publication of names.