Preamble

The Austrian Newspaper Association (VÖZ) has a voluntary membership comprising owners, editors, publishers, and their journalistic, commercial and technical staff engaged in pursuing common publishing-related goals in the interests of newspapers, their readers and advertisers.

1. The VÖZ is committed to the comprehensive fundamental right to freedom of expression - also beyond Austria's borders. The VÖZ is committed to free media and to preserving and enhancing media diversity. Media enterprises should be able to develop within a free market.
   
   
2. The VÖZ actively promotes the good standing of its members so as to ensure they are independent and empowered to fulfil their indispensable duties vis-à-vis democracy in Austria.
   
   
3. The primary activities of the VÖZ serve the interests of nongratuitous daily and weekly newspapers and weekly and monthly magazines.
   The VÖZ takes account of the fact that newspaper enterprises are becoming communication enterprises and will therefore seek out and develop forms of co-operation with media and media associations that go beyond the circle of its full members.
   
   
4. The VÖZ provides for its members a dynamic platform for an exchange of ideas, discussion and action. It works to create an environment in which its members can successfully face the future in an environment of fair competition. The VÖZ wishes to make its members aware of strategic potential and act as a trail-blazer for the future.
   
   
5. The VÖZ represents the common interests of its members vis-à-vis national, regional and local state bodies, authorities, chambers, the business community and the public at large. It takes part in constructively shaping media regulations in Austria.
   
   
6. The VÖZ takes measures to promote reading as a fundamental cultural technique in order both to preserve the appeal of print media despite social changes and to ensure that reading remains a pleasurable activity.
   
   
7. The VÖZ is active in the following areas through information exchange (know-how transfer), common regulations and, if the need arises, entrepreneurial activities:
   
   

   •   preserving the journalistic rights and duties of Austrian newspaper editors and publishers and their staff members;

   •   creating the best possible market environment for its members;

   •   regulating the working conditions of staff members (labour and social law, collective agreements);

   •   marketing (advertisement marketing, sales marketing);

   •   sales and distribution (mail services and other matters relating to sales and distribution);

   •   procurement of means of production (paper);

   •   technical co-operation (fundamental research, technology-related projects);

   •   initial and on-the-job training of staff members;

   •   long-term motivation of newspaper readers (newspapers in schools);

   •   maintaining media relations at national and international levels.
   
   

8. The VÖZ is a not-for-profit association.