Winter Games in Salzburg Offer Ideal Conditions for International Journalists, Thanks Indeed to Austrian Regulations on Freedom of the Press
May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day, which was founded in 1993 by the UN general assembly to encourage an independent and pluralistic press. On this day, Austria can look back on 158 years of press freedom and freedom of opinion, which has, in the meantime, been fixed by law. A symbol of the independent press is the “Wiener Zeitung“, the oldest newspaper still being published in the world, which has been going since August 8th, 1703.
Article 13 of the Austrian constitution reads: “Everyone shall have the right, within legal limits, to freely express his thoughts orally, in writing, through the press, or by pictorial representation." This legal basis ensures that the more than 10,000 accredited representatives of the world’s press and media would be offered the best possible working conditions at the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg. In the annual “Press Freedom Index”, which is created by “Reporters Without Borders”, Austria is always among the best countries in the world with regard to freedom of the press.
However, Austria’s legal situation would not be the only significant factor in ensuring excellent conditions for accredited media representatives at the 2014 Winter Games in Salzburg. They would also benefit from the short distances, Austria’s experience in organising world-class winter sport events, and the latest technology in the press and media areas.
150 million winter sport enthusiasts from 16 countries live within an 800km radius of Salzburg, thus ensuring sold-out stadiums and indescribable atmospheres, which will doubtlessly be conveyed to the TV audience, newspaper readers, those following the games on the Internet, and radio listeners. Furthermore, Salzburg can offer media representatives an unbelievable number of astonishing features and background stories throughout the city and the entire Olympic region: From Mozart to “The Sound of Music”, or a restaurant in the old town, which has been catering for guests for 1204 years, since 803. The carol “Silent Night” was composed in Salzburg in 1818, and guests at the Café Tomaselli can enjoy a hot chocolate or coffee at the same table as Mozart once did. More than 100 castles, the impressive backdrop of the Alps directly behind the city, and jubilant, knowledgeable spectators from around the world will provide a wonderful background for television stories.
Gernot Leitner, Executive Director of Salzburg 2014: “May 3rd is a day for encouraging an independent and pluralistic press, but it is also a day for remembering violations of information and freedom rights, as well as the freedom of press and freedom of opinion guaranteed by international law. Thanks to our legislation here in Austria, national and international journalists enjoy the best possible legal protection. At the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg, an unrestricted diversity of opinion would be guaranteed, journalists would have no visa problems, and all venues would provide ideal working conditions. Combine this with the countless cultural and natural attractions of the Salzburg Olympic region, and you would be justified in saying that the 2014 Winter Games in Salzburg can offer media representatives a very attractive package.“
Article 13 of the Austrian constitution reads: “Everyone shall have the right, within legal limits, to freely express his thoughts orally, in writing, through the press, or by pictorial representation." This legal basis ensures that the more than 10,000 accredited representatives of the world’s press and media would be offered the best possible working conditions at the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg. In the annual “Press Freedom Index”, which is created by “Reporters Without Borders”, Austria is always among the best countries in the world with regard to freedom of the press.
However, Austria’s legal situation would not be the only significant factor in ensuring excellent conditions for accredited media representatives at the 2014 Winter Games in Salzburg. They would also benefit from the short distances, Austria’s experience in organising world-class winter sport events, and the latest technology in the press and media areas.
150 million winter sport enthusiasts from 16 countries live within an 800km radius of Salzburg, thus ensuring sold-out stadiums and indescribable atmospheres, which will doubtlessly be conveyed to the TV audience, newspaper readers, those following the games on the Internet, and radio listeners. Furthermore, Salzburg can offer media representatives an unbelievable number of astonishing features and background stories throughout the city and the entire Olympic region: From Mozart to “The Sound of Music”, or a restaurant in the old town, which has been catering for guests for 1204 years, since 803. The carol “Silent Night” was composed in Salzburg in 1818, and guests at the Café Tomaselli can enjoy a hot chocolate or coffee at the same table as Mozart once did. More than 100 castles, the impressive backdrop of the Alps directly behind the city, and jubilant, knowledgeable spectators from around the world will provide a wonderful background for television stories.
Gernot Leitner, Executive Director of Salzburg 2014: “May 3rd is a day for encouraging an independent and pluralistic press, but it is also a day for remembering violations of information and freedom rights, as well as the freedom of press and freedom of opinion guaranteed by international law. Thanks to our legislation here in Austria, national and international journalists enjoy the best possible legal protection. At the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg, an unrestricted diversity of opinion would be guaranteed, journalists would have no visa problems, and all venues would provide ideal working conditions. Combine this with the countless cultural and natural attractions of the Salzburg Olympic region, and you would be justified in saying that the 2014 Winter Games in Salzburg can offer media representatives a very attractive package.“