Wide demands for the cancellation of radio and television fees.
The ORF contribution law, which determines the funding fees for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), is currently under review by the Austrian Constitutional Court after receiving a large number of complaints against it.
Legal objections to the fees The law faces sharp criticism for imposing mandatory fees on all households, regardless of their use of ORF services. Complainants argue that this violates the right to equality before the law and property protection, in addition to contradicting the principle of legal clarity in the Austrian constitution.
The lack of distinction between broadcasting methods One of the main points of contention is that the law does not differentiate between ways of receiving broadcasts, whether via cable, satellite, or the internet, which results in some citizens bearing unfair costs, especially those who do not have the appropriate infrastructure in rural areas.
Effects on competition and freedom of expression Criticism also includes the determination of the fee value for the period between 2024 and 2026 by a government decision, instead of leaving it to the ORF Board of Directors. Opponents also raise concerns about the law's impact on competition with private channels, as well as its potential violation of privacy rights and freedom of expression.
Legal precedent affecting the decision It is noted that the Constitutional Court ruled in 2022 that the previous GIS-Gebühr system was unconstitutional because it was linked to the ownership of broadcasting receivers. This decision led to the establishment of the current system, which imposes fees at the household level instead of based on devices.
Suspension of cases pending judgment Until the final ruling is issued, all cases related to the law in the Federal Administrative Court have been suspended. The Constitutional Court is expected to determine the compatibility of the new law with the constitution, which may lead to future changes in ORF funding.