This means that part-time employment and social media appearances of ORF employees will probably be clearly regulated in the form of a service instruction from the end of March. Details are still being worked out with the works council. An ethics commission appointed by General Director Roland Weißmann has made five recommendations on the topics of social media, part-time employment, political activities, anti-corruption and conflicts of interest. Implementation is planned by the end of March. Lothar Lockl, Chairman of the ORF Foundation Board, said: “The code of ethics is a step towards greater clarity and trust from the audience and in the interests of the employees.”
Publication of salaries
The ORF salaries – from 170,000 euros per year with names – are also expected to be published at the end of March. “I am now assuming that we have to publish the transparency report,” said Weißmann and warned of a jealous debate. According to the ORF boss, 50 to 60 ORF employees are probably affected by the publication of their names.
Economically, the ORF had positive figures for 2023. According to a release, the preliminary annual financial statements show an EBT of 4.0 million euros.
The appearance of Peter Westenthaler, who took part in a meeting of the highest ORF committee with an FPÖ ticket after a break of over 20 years, was eagerly awaited. He focused on the budget levy. The ORF contribution is “harmful” for households and the ORF. People are angry when they have to pay for something they wouldn’t consume, said Westenthaler.
