The Austrian broadcasting service (ORF) is known to be quite sceptical of the conservative government. The former chancellor of Austria actually wanted to coopt it, like Orban did in Hungary and failed to do so. That's basically, why he's the former chancellor.

You can compare it to the European Central Bank, or the FED.

It's not resistant to nepotism, but it's way better than the corporate hellscape you see in the US media.

[–] kpw@kbin.social 6 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

It's quite telling that in Austria the far right wants to stop financing the ORF altogether by talking about how the population is forced to pay ORF fees and that it has a left wing bias.

[–] Bumblefumble@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I think that's the same in all European countries, at least it is in Denmark. I guess the old adage is true, the truth has a left wing bias.

[–] GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca 0 points 10 months ago

Same for Canada. "Why's should I pay taxes for this news service I always disagree with?"

[–] Prunebutt@feddit.de 2 points 10 months ago

Didn't Chomsky also note the supposed "left wing bias" in "Manufacturing consent"?

[–] afunkysongaday@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The government is forcing the people to pay for the public broadcasting. That's why they are inherently dependant on the government. Something that's literally funded by the government can not be independent from the government.

I'm living in Germany actually. Don't get me wrong, I like the ÖRR as alternative to private media. But to say it's independent from the government is really naive.

[–] Prunebutt@feddit.de 2 points 10 months ago

I'm not claiming that it's completely independent. But there are safeguards preventing direct influence of parliament on the media.

So, yes: it depends on the state, but it's not (directly) influenced by the executive/legislative/judicative branches of government.