Infalt acknowledged that the reform will be an important mechanism to guarantee a pluralistic media landscape and avoid large-scale licensing. Nevertheless, ALJP believes that the proposal still needs some amendments. Infalt underlined the importance of the reform, which will significantly affect the media landscape for the years to come.
Several institutions have struggled financially for some time, and since the pandemic, mass layoffs have already occurred. ALJP thus criticises that the initially planned standard deduction of €55,000 per journalist was reduced to €30,000. Furthermore, they believe that the reform's definition of a journalist needs to be formulated more coherently.
Infalt concluded that there is a significant risk of passing a bad law. The association fails to understand why the media commission is not looking to open a dialogue on the issue.
In the meantime, four editors have issued a response to the open letter from ALJP, distancing themselves from the statements made in the document. When asked about it, Infalt showed understanding, noting that the editors in question are still expecting to receive support.
ALJP also holds on to the demand for better access to information. By now, journalists are often only referred to spokespeople and unable to receive clear answers from politicians.
