Media Funding Challenges in Pandemic Legislation

This chapter analyzes the recent amendments in Austrian media laws under the fourth Covid-19 legislation, focusing on the contentious paragraph 12b affecting financial assistance for print media. It raises concerns about the fairness of funding criteria that prioritize daily newspapers over weeklies and explores legal implications and potential challenges from disadvantaged media outlets. The discussion further examines the complexities of media quality measurement, government influence, and the changing dynamics of the media landscape in light of economic pressures.