Press Freedom

Celebrities and Journalists from Austria, Europe and America Leave X

The once important platform Twitter, now known as X, is experiencing a massive decline in prominent users. While international personalities such as Stephen King or media outlets such as the British Guardian have announced their departure, the exodus is also becoming visible in Austria. Numerous opinion leaders and journalists have closed their accounts under the hashtag #eXit.

November 17, 2024

Russia Expels ORF Correspondent Maria Knips-Witting

In a surprising diplomatic escalation, Russia has withdrawn the accreditation of ORF correspondent Maria Knips-Witting and ordered her to leave the country as quickly as possible. This measure was described by the Russian side as a “forced measure” and explained as a reaction to the withdrawal of the accreditations of two Russian journalists from the state news agency TASS in Austria. Knips-Witting has been reporting from Moscow since January 2024.

June 11, 2024

Concordia Ball 2024: A Celebration of Freedom of the Press

On May 24, 2024, Vienna City Hall was transformed into the venue for the 124th Concordia Ball, at which the media industry, artists, and cultural figures as well as an international ball audience set an impressive example for freedom of the press. This year, the traditional ball, organized by the Concordia Press Club, was all about free journalism and diversity of opinion.

May 26, 2024

Democracy in Crisis: How Austria's Democracy Index Reveals Alarming Trends

In recent years, democracy in Austria seemed to be on a good path. But the current Democracy Index raises eyebrows: The state of the democratic infrastructure is stagnating, and in some areas, there has even been regression. There is particular cause for concern in the areas of fundamental rights and the media landscape. But why is that and what can be done to counteract it?

October 26, 2023

Journalists' Associations Protest Against Exclusion at OPEC Event

Journalists' associations have protested the renewed exclusion of international press representatives from an OPEC event in Vienna. According to an open letter from the Association of Foreign Press, the Concordia Press Club, and the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), reporters from the Reuters and Bloomberg news agencies and the "Wall Street Journal" were denied accreditation.

June 29, 2023

Vienna Ball Season 2023: Concordia Ball Anniversary Celebrates 160 Years

Vienna's famous ball season has been extended with the long-awaited return of the Concordia Ball. The ball, which is hosted by the Vienna Journalist and Writer Association Concordia, is one of the city's oldest dance events and has been held since 1863. This year's ball will take place on May 26th at Vienna's City Hall, the Rathaus.

May 8, 2023

Turkish Community in Vienna Criticizes Türkiye's Media Freedom on International Press Freedom Day

As the world marks International Press Freedom Day on May 3, Austria's media landscape faces a serious threat to its diversity, despite slight improvements in the Press Freedom Index. Meanwhile, Türkiye's media freedom is in a dire state, with journalists and opposition voices facing increasing pressure and imprisonment under Erdogan's AKP government, according to the Turkish Cultural Community in Austria (TKG).

May 3, 2023

Media Freedom in Russia: OSCE Condemns Continued Persecution of Russian Journalists

Recently, critical journalists were persecuted and imprisoned in Russia as a common practice. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, strongly condemns the continued practice of judicial persecution, which is hampering access to information and media freedom in the Russian Federation. After the recent criminal and administrative charges against journalists and media workers, Ribeiro emphasized that judicial persecution should not be tolerated.

August 17, 2022

OSCE Condemns Unjust Convictions Against Journalists in Belarus

In response to the recent imprisonment of journalists, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media today expressed concern about the continued and unchanging practice of judicial reprisals against journalists and media workers.

July 14, 2022

Press Freedom Day: Independent Media Essential in Times of War

On International Press Freedom Day, numerous international organizations highlight the importance of free journalism and the need for access to independent media. This year, the focus is on the war in Ukraine, which is characterized by propaganda and disinformation campaigns. Austria also has some catching up to do in these matters, according to a ranking by Reporters Without Borders. Read on if you want to learn more!

May 3, 2022

OSCE Media Freedom Representative, Teresa Ribeiro, Condemns Arrests of Media Workers in Russia

The OSCE Media Freedom Representative denounces the latest arrests of journalists in Russia and calls on Russian authorities to repeal restrictive laws.

April 15, 2022
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