!!!ORF

ORF, since 1967 the abbreviation used for "Oesterreichischer 
Rundfunk", the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (in combination 
with a distinctive emblem). The ORF has been a public institution 
since 1974 (under the broadcasting law of July 10, 1974). Until 
the end of 1993 it was the only broadcasting corporation in Austria 
authorised by federal law and holding a programming commission. (This 
broadcasting monopoly was terminated by the regional radio law of 
June 9, 1993). - The ORF fulfils its programming mandate (to 
provide information, balanced commentaries, education for adults and 
young people, cultural and scientific broadcasts, entertainment, and 
promotion of sports, addressing minorities, promoting awareness of 
federalism), at the same time maintaining its independence according 
to the protection provided under the Broadcasting Law, by broadcasting 
13 radio programmes and 2 television channels; the ORF also has 
interests in the German-language culture channel 3sat. Its revenues 
(1998) come in equal parts from broadcasting fees and advertising. The 
most important administrative functions in the ORF are the board (35 
members), the Director General, and the radio and television audience 
representatives´ committee (37 members). - The predecessor of 
the public broadcasting corporation ORF was the limited liability 
company "Oesterreichischer  Rundfunk 
Ges. m. b. H", founded on December 11, 1957, 
which, after the 1964 petition for a referendum on broadcasting, was 
reformed under a broadcasting law which came into effect on 
January 1, 1967. This law put an end to an undesirable situation 
whereby important administrative functions were proportionally 
allocated according to membership in political parties, and introduced 
the "Intendanturprinzip", the principle of a 
"Generalintendant" or director general who up to 1974 had 
overall responsibility, and thus enabled the director general (G. 
Bacher 1967-1974, 1978-1986, 1990-1994, O.  Oberhammer 1974-1978, T.  
Podgorski 1986-1990, G.  Zeiler from 1994-1998; G.  Weis since 1998) 
to modernise the ORF´s financial structure, technological 
facilities, and presentation style. Modernisation measures included 
the construction of the ORF centre (1976) in Vienna and the new 
provincial studios (by G.  Peichl) in the provincial capitals (from 
1972). - Predecessors of the ORF were Radio Wien (Radio Vienna), the 
broadcasting institutions of the occupation forces ( Radio), and, 
before 1938, the  RAVAG broadcasting station.

!Literature
H. Magenschab, Demokratie und Rundfunk, 1973; V. Ergert, 
50 Jahre Rundfunk in Oesterreich, 4 vols., 1974-1985; 
ORF-Almanach, appears every 2-3 years, latest instalment 1996/1997.


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