Abstract

The Code of Honor for the Austrian Press contains multiple principles for responsible journalistic work that ensure the preservation of good professional ethics and freedom of the press. The Code was created by the Austrian Press Council, a self-regulation institution with members like the Austrian Newspaper Association (VÖZ) and the Austrian Regional Media Association (VRM). Actors from print media and non-commercial electronic media can voluntarily commit themselves to abide by the Code. The principles cover areas such as truthfulness, accuracy as well as public interest and form the basis for the decisions of the Austrian Press Council’s Senate. The Senate has the responsibility of highlighting and counteracting grievances in the press.