PULS 24 journalist insulted at Corona demo in Vienna

In any case, many camera teams can only report on the corona demonstrations if they are accompanied by securities. As a precaution, transmitter logos must be removed from microphones or clothing so that they are not easily recognized. Vaccination skeptics and right-wing extremists regard the press as an enemy. Journalists from the major media companies are affected by attacks and disruptive actions, but also freelance journalists time and again.

Shortly after the demonstration, co-organized by the FPÖ, started moving on Saturday at the Wiener Ring, the police announced on Twitter that journalists had been attacked with snowballs and chunks of ice. An attacker was arrested and a journalist was the victim of attempted assault.

Overall, there were several arrests at the demonstration with around 44,000 participants – among other things for violations of the Prohibition Act and for the use of pyrotechnics – as well as numerous reports. A final deployment balance is not yet available, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) will appear in front of the press on Sunday at 12.30 p.m.

PULS 24 reporter surrounded

Also affected on Saturday was PULS 24 chief reporter Magdalena Punz, who was surrounded and verbally abused by a mob towards the end of the demonstration. The reporter’s work was massively disrupted by whistles and “lying press” shouts. This is a popular slogan in the scene that was also used by the National Socialists to discredit the media. The demonstrators posted videos of the incident themselves and seem to be celebrating the scene. “I was well protected by our securities. They were great and, unfortunately, necessary,” said Magdalena Punz.

“Our reporter Magdalena Punz was threatened, insulted and encircled today at the demo. She had to be protected by four (!) Securities in order to be able to do her work. The atmosphere at the demo is becoming more and more aggressive and dangerous. Responsibility for this is also borne by you the FPÖ, which is fueling the tense situation. Some people have been recognized, the authorities have been informed, “said PULS 24 editor-in-chief Stefan Kaltenbrunner after the incident.

ORF picks up logos

“It’s just more sad and scary,” reported ORF journalist Katharina Weinmann on Twitter. In previous demos, she had “ORF” journalists masked off the logos and used black microphone protectors to prevent them from being recognized.

The “OE24” reporter Julia Rauch may even have been sexually harassed during a live report. “I’m fine, but attacks of this kind against media representatives are to be condemned in the strongest possible terms and must stop,” she said on Twitter.

The police have been providing contact persons for journalists at the corona demonstrations for a year, but similar incidents have occurred again and again. In Klagenfurt, the Corona demo moved directly in front of the “ORF” state studio and the “Styria” building on Saturday, where the police had to erect barriers. Media houses announced rallies at the demo in Vienna.

Solidarity with a journalist

The disruptive action against PULS 24 reporter Magdalena Punz also triggered a wave of expressions of solidarity. “Anyone who attacks or harasses journalists at demos is attacking the freedom of the press for all Austrians,” writes “Falter” editor-in-chief Florian Klenk. “We have to protect colleagues at the demos. When media representatives are disturbed, sexually harassed or threatened: go there, help, intervene, hold the camera, make it public, report, prosecute. With all legal means,” said Klenk.

“What do the organizers of the FPÖ actually say about the fact that media representatives are constantly being attacked and insulted. You get threatening emails, etc. Magdalena Punz is great, I’m a fan of yours anyway,” writes “Presse” journalist Anna Thalhammer.