Anti-Corruption

Whistleblowing and journalism: This was the Austrian Anti-Corruption Day 2023

What role do whistleblowing and journalism play in the fight against corruption? This question was discussed at the Austrian Anti-Corruption Day organised by the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAK) at Josephinum Vienna on 25 May 2023. Two high-profile panel discussions were dedicated to the role of whistleblowing and journalism in fighting corruption.

BAK Director Otto Kerbl introduced the event, emphasising the role of awareness raising in the fight against corruption. "Whistleblowing and investigative journalism can make a valuable contribution to fighting corruption. Both require courage to expose wrongdoing and thereby also enable prosecution," said Kerbl.

Whistleblowing in public authorities and companies

Wolfgang Bogensberger, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Austria, held the introductory lecture on the legal protection of whistleblowers. Then, the first of two panel discussions took place with the following experts: Katharina Brückner, Senior Legal Counsel at Siemens Mobility Austria, Natalie Harsdorf-Borsch, Interim Director General of the Federal Competition Authority, Mathias Huter, Managing Director of the UNCAC Coalition, and Fiona Springer, Team Leader at the Financial Market Authority. Luca Mak, Managing Director of Transparency International Austria, was the discussion’s moderator.

The speakers presented the possibilities for whistleblowers to report to the respective authorities and companies and exchanged views on the protection of whistleblowers as well as on low-threshold counselling services. The experts agreed that the hotlines mostly received high-quality reports. The most important thing was to react as quickly as possible to reports and to approach whistleblowers with any questions about their reports if clarifications were necessary. In addition, whistleblowers needed to be assured that their anonymity would be protected, as many were worried about negative consequences.

Journalism and the fight against corruption

Anna Thalhammer, Editor-in-Chief of the news magazine "profil" introduced the second panel discussion. A pluralistic media landscape was a prerequisite for raising awareness in the fight against corruption, said Thalhammer.

In the subsequent panel debate on the role of journalism in fighting corruption, Nina Bussek, Head of the Media Office of the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office, Gerhard Jarosch, Managing Partner at Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner, Falter Editor-in-Chief Florian Klenk and Anna Thalhammer discussed the issue. Corinna Milborn moderated this second panel.

The discussion revolved around the tense relationship between the justice system and the media landscape in the context of fighting corruption. Investigative journalism was essential in the fight against corruption, according to the panel participants. At the same time, it was difficult for prosecuting authorities to investigate cases if they were reported in advance in the media, argued Nina Bussek from the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. How can journalism and prosecution authorities achieve good cooperation? These and many other questions about the relationship between the law and the media in the field of anti-corruption were intensively discussed. Even if no clear answer could be found, the unanimous conclusion was that the media had a decisive role in raising awareness.

Anti-Corruption Day back after pandemic break

At the Austrian Anti-Corruption Day, which had been held annually since 2007, experts from the field of anti-corruption used to meet and discuss current challenges. After a four-year break due to the pandemic, the event took place again this year for the first time since 2019.