Austria’s freedom party-led interior Ministry wants to penalize critical media, among other things, the weekly newspaper Falter. He was outraged, but not surprised, says editor-in-chief, Armin Thurnher in the DW-Interview.
Armin Thurnher is editor and, together with Florian Klenk, editor-in-chief of the moth
In an E-Mail to the regional police directorates of the FPÖ-politician Herbert Kickl indoor led had recommended the Ministry to restrict the communication with the Newspapers the courier, the Standard and Falter on the “bare minimum (legally provided), dimension”. This disadvantage of certain media made in Austria for outrage and called the Opposition to the Plan. Chancellor Sebastian looked Short and Kickl themselves forced to distance themselves from the Letter.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Thurnher, why the right-wing populist FPÖ-led interior Ministry wants to give specifically to the courier, the Standard and your paper no in the Mail a “goodie”?
Armin Thurnher: of course the media, to the Minister of the interior, is critical. The Butterfly is generally very critical and very unpleasant, because he has accompanied the government’s work from the beginning with investigator stories. We should not be there, so to speak, as an enemy medium, and the like. We do not, but we still try, criteria of Fairness to be observed. On the other hand, one does not apparently.
You are shocked by the contents of the public become writing?
I am of course outraged, but the E-Mail has not surprised me. What is covered in the report, is in reality a common practice in Austria. Not only of this Minister of the interior, but also all the possible before him have fed the tabloid media with exclusive information. Which are then taken in raids, say, against African drug dealer, in order to show that this is a huge Problem. To a certain degree, it is normal that a politician “Message Control”. But I have the feeling that the FPÖ and the government overall, but a very pointed communications Agenda. Especially in a mass media-infused society it can be dangerous, if there is on the part of the government is not transparent and all information available.
So you see, the freedom of the press in Austria is in danger?
To reward as a democratic Institution, well-disposed media and punish critical, is a fundamental intervention in freedom of press and speech. That is for Austria and even for the FPÖ in this Form. But overall, I’m not worried about freedom of the press, because we can defend ourselves against such incursions, and to do that, too. That the Mail has been leaked, shows that also in the interior Ministry, not all are using something agree.
The interior Ministry defended itself by saying that it was merely non-binding suggestions. Kickl itself has assigned to the Ministry spokesman and the author of the Mail, the responsibility for the formulations. What do you think?
That Kickl don’t want to have to do with the content of the E-Mail, is absolutely implausible. He says that now, of course, in order not to endanger his Post. The Ministry spokesman, Mr. Pölzl was earlier Kickls personal spokesperson, so we can assume a personal close relationship. Also, there’s such a thing as a political responsibility of the Minister is for his officials.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and the Minister of the interior Herbert Kickl in January
Federal Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz said Yes to the of the Opposition’s so-titled “gag order” and said: “Any restriction of the freedom of the press is not acceptable.” He is off the hook?
No, I don’t think that’s enough as a response. If a Minister is, has the Chancellor the duty to seriously intervene. Short could say that Kickl is unacceptable, and the FPÖ call to replace him. But Mr Short, the Problem is that he can’t fight with his coalition partners. The ÖVP and the FPÖ want to show that you do things differently and well in harmony.
Watch the Video 01:28 live right Now 01:28 Min. 
Austria: dealing with critical media
How do you as a representative of the Austrian press in the future?
It was good to see that a large part of the population – has shown whether the government is facing-or not – in the question of the different treatment of the media with a unique attitude. And also most of the politicians have said: “that’s not The point.” Because of these reactions, the inside had to row the Ministry then. But we as the media must of course remain vigilant, as long as the government thinks they should make communication to your Benefit and not for the Benefit of society.
Armin Thurnher (Born 1949) is an Austrian Journalist and publicist. He is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the left-liberal Viennese weekly magazine Falter and was already awarded with different prizes.
The Interview was conducted by Ines Eisele