(FT, 19 June 2024) Austria’s opposition social democrats have promised to fund newspaper subscriptions for people under 30, in a bid to combat disinformation and “Orbanisation” of Austrian politics.
“Investments in journalism are an investment in democracy,” said SPO party leader Andreas Babler in Vienna on Monday. He cast the move as a vital step to stop Austria emulating neighbouring Hungary, where Viktor Orban’s government has eroded the free press.
“Our media policy measures will strengthen the democratic power of the media. They bear a special responsibility,” said Babler, a Marxist who was the surprise victor in a messy contest for the leadership of the left last year.