Pius Strobl, head of Humanitarian Broadcasting at ORF, cannot understand the criticism expressed that people with disabilities are portrayed as petitioners. He warns in the APA interview: “Abolition would be possible, it would only cause great damage.”
In the documentation, people with disabilities, industry representatives and experts insist that politicians implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, so that donations – such as those made publicly at the ORF “Licht ins Dunkel” donation gala at Christmas in the presence of numerous of high-ranking politicians – no longer have to serve as a substitute. “I am in favor of everyone getting everything they need to lead an independent life. The question is when will that happen? It may take a while,” says Strobl. Until then, he is happy that there are clubs like “Licht ins Dunkel”, for which the ORF serves as a media stage.
“This is an allegation and not supported by facts”
Strobl denies that people with disabilities are portrayed as petitioners in the context of “Licht ins Dunkel” programs or that their disability is the focus of attention as something bad. “This is an allegation and not supported by facts.” Everyone can get their own picture of the show and then give an example. The documentation uses outdated examples. For example, the criticized addition “Is there someone?” no longer part of the campaign since 2001. In the meantime, the brand – to which Strobl stands – has been charged with the addition “seeing people”. “Licht ins Dunkel” has been reformed again and again, and it is the endeavor of the ORF employees in the interests of people with disabilities to organize this campaign in a timely manner. The ORF is also in contact with an expert advisory board, in which the largest associations for people with disabilities are present.
Strobl doesn’t see it that the ORF offers politicians a platform within the framework of the gala and thus reduces the pressure on them to push ahead with social legislation. “I’m not aware of any politician ever saying he was at the gala and now he doesn’t have to do anything.” The lobby for people with disabilities is also “far too active for politicians to be able to wipe themselves off”. The ORF also regularly asks politicians critically about the further development of the social system during the year. “Light in the dark” donations make up around 20 million euros a year. On the other hand, there is a multi-billion dollar social system. “No system can get these 20 million euros, but they can fill the existing and recognizable gaps to a not inconsiderable extent,” says Strobl.
Does the ORF have to pay compensatory tax?
It was also criticized for the fact that companies are given a stage at the “Licht ins Dunkel” gala, some of which pay high sums in compensatory tax for not employing people with disabilities. Strobl advocates separating company donations from the employment of people with disabilities. He himself was in favor of increasing the compensatory taxes so much that jobs for people with disabilities could be financed with them.
Whether the ORF has to pay a compensatory tax was not answered in the report by “andererseits”. For January 2023, the ORF has planned the start of the seven-month training course “Inclusive Media Practice” in cooperation with the AMS for eight participants. Basic knowledge is imparted and practical experience is gained in various editorial offices. The “inclusive teaching editorial team” has been running since 2020, with eight people with learning disabilities being trained in the field of journalism and writing reports for news.ORF.at, for example. The first editor with a learning disability has been employed since June of this year.
Source: Nachrichten
