Promotion of Self-Regulation in Commercial Communication

The promotion of self-regulation in commercial communication in media supports recognized self-regulatory bodies with the aim of preserving their independence and ensuring the statutory tasks as well as the effective implementation of their decisions. With an annual grant of up to €75,000, institutions are funded that guarantee broad representation of the affected professional groups and provide transparency regarding decision-making bases, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms. Through this continuous support, it is ensured that commercial communication in Vienna adheres to high ethical standards and that consumers as well as business partners are equally protected. Applications for support can be submitted without limitation and at any time.

Eligible for funding are non-profit associations or interest groups that represent a recognized self-regulatory institution. A prerequisite for a grant is a written application, to which the association’s statutes with a member directory, an income-expenditure statement audited by a certified public accountant including an asset register, an activity report for the previous year, as well as an outlook for the current year (expectations regarding expenses, income, organizational and personnel structure, and an overview of assets and liabilities) must be attached. The funds are granted as direct subsidies and are subject to the provisions of § 33 KommAustria Act. The Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport, based in Vienna, is the funding authority. A thorough review of the submitted documents guarantees the targeted allocation of funds to those institutions that contribute to strengthening self-regulation in the media sector.