Peter Westenthaler challenges Clemens Pig's ORF appointment

Peter Westenthaler, an ORF Foundation Board member representing the FPÖ, has filed a popular complaint with the media authority KommAustria against the appointment of Clemens Pig as Director-General of the ORF. The 43-page complaint is supported by 360 ORF license fee payers, exceeding the required minimum of 120 supporters.

The complaint alleges that the appointment process violated the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) by failing to ensure a transparent, open, and non-discriminatory procedure. Specific criticisms include that Pig lacks the relevant radio or television experience required by the job advertisement, noting he instead cited his work on the Austria video platform.

Additionally, the complaint challenges the short timeframe between the application deadline on May 28 and the election on June 11, given there were 75 applicants. Westenthaler characterized the appointment as a “politically negotiated composition” and indicated that further complaints regarding the appointment of the 13 ORF directors are planned.