Fotos der Veranstaltung – Runde der Steirischen Chefredakteure – Leadersnet

A record number of media professionals gathered at the Steirischer Presseclub in Graz on May 6, 2026, for the traditional Runde der Chefredakteure (Round of Editors-in-Chief). Approximately 75 experts from the Styrian media scene attended the event, marking the highest attendance in the history of the series.

The evening, moderated by Presseclub President Sigrid Hroch, featured a panel of prominent editors-in-chief who provided a status report on the current state of the media landscape in Styria. The discussion focused on the economic instability of the industry, the evolving nature of journalistic work, and the necessity of political intervention to protect media hubs within Austria and Europe.

Economic Volatility and Business Model Erosion

Oliver Pokorny, editor-in-chief of Kleine Zeitung, opened the discussion with a stark assessment of the industry’s financial health. Pokorny argued that the media sector is currently facing a significant struggle with crisis management, noting that traditional revenue streams are failing.

According to Pokorny, the current business models are eroding completely, and he described the media industry as being in a state that is extremely disruptive and volatile.

The Value of Regional Content and Human Journalism

While acknowledging the challenges, other panelists offered a more optimistic view regarding the survival of the profession. Wolfgang Schaller, editor-in-chief of ORF Steiermark, noted that journalism is undergoing a transformation similar to the broader changes occurring across the global workforce.

Schaller expressed confidence in the longevity of the field, asserting that regional content will continue to maintain public interest, which he believes will allow the industry to survive the current transition.

Klaus Herrmann, editor-in-chief of Steirerkrone, emphasized the importance of human-led reporting and original material. Herrmann stated that unique content and the people producing it are the primary drivers of success. He maintained that the need for journalists will persist regardless of the specific medium used to deliver information.

Addressing the Trust Crisis and Future Training

The panel expanded their discussion to address the systemic issues facing the profession, specifically the growing crisis of trust in journalism. The participants explored various strategies to combat this decline in public confidence and discussed the implementation of necessary quality guidelines to ensure journalistic integrity.

The conversation also touched upon the structural needs of the next generation of reporters. The editors discussed the development of new training pathways and updated working methods to adapt to the digital and disruptive environment described by Pokorny.

the group examined the future of information channels and how the delivery of news must evolve to remain relevant to the audience while maintaining professional standards.

Call for Political Protection

The editors-in-chief reached a consensus on the role of government in sustaining the media landscape. They concluded that political action is urgently required to protect media locations not only within Austria but across Europe.

The event included a wide range of industry representatives, including leadership and press spokespeople from AC-Styria, reflecting the broad professional interest in the sustainability of the regional media ecosystem.