Christian Van Thillo, Chairman of the European Publishers Council has sent a letter to Executive Vice-President Vestager expressing the concerns of the organisation as Austria is about to increase the aid in favour of Austrian Public Service Broadcaster ORF, which would exceed its commitments in line with the EU State Aid requirements.
Left unchallenged, this new law will lead to massive distortions of competition and an existential threat to pluralistic, independently funded media.
EPC recognises and supports the role of public service broadcasting in a pluralistic society but this has to be with strict limits to their remit in order to ensure fair competition with the private sector.
Access the full letter below: