The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) has once again failed to fulfil its duty of neutral, balanced reporting under the terms of regulated media. The Jewish Community Vienna (IKG) is deeply outraged: according to the IKG, the ORF news programme ORF-Weltjournal on September 4, 2024 (ORF 2) spread the narrative of the terrorist organisation Hamas without contradiction. Israel was portrayed as evil in an utterly absurd way – and this – mind you – on state television: according to the IKG, the Weltjournal programme was produced by well-known Hamas supporters, with at least two Hamas apologists in leading positions. A number of lies about the war in the Gaza Strip were spread in the programme, fuelling anger against Israel.
According to the IKG, the spread of Hamas propaganda jeopardises Jewish life worldwide.
In the first two days after the Hamas propaganda was broadcast on ORF-Weltjournal, the IKG’s anti-Semitism reporting centre recorded an increase in hate postings and anti-Semitic graffiti on house walls. What’s more, there has also been an increase in calls for violence against Jews.
The IKG criticises the fact that ORF editors of all people are contributing to this anti-Semitic climate in society. This can no longer be tolerated. Corrections, structural and personnel consequences are urgently needed, according to the IKG.
Skandal: ORF übernimmt anstandslos antisemitische Hamas-Propaganda | Exxpress