AustriaOwnership & classification
Founded: 1954
Ownership
Kurier is a long-running Austrian daily (relaunched in its modern form in 1954) majority-controlled by the Raiffeisen banking/cooperative conglomerate, which is closely associated with the conservative OeVP. Raiffeisen and small shareholders hold about 50.56% via the Mediaprint/Telekurier structures, while Germany's privately held Funke Mediengruppe (formerly WAZ) holds roughly 49.44%; Raiffeisen announced moves to fully acquire Funke's stake during 2024-2025. Kurier and the tabloid Kronen Zeitung have shared the Mediaprint publishing/distribution company since 1988.
Funding
Kurier is funded commercially through advertising, print and digital subscriptions, operated within the Raiffeisen/Funke-backed Mediaprint joint venture; it also receives Austria's general press subsidies but not earmarked party funding.
Affiliation & stance
Although Kurier is a commercial newspaper, its majority owner Raiffeisen is a powerful conglomerate historically aligned with the OeVP, giving its proprietors notable political-economic ties. Because editorial control sits with an interest closely linked to a governing-party network rather than a fully independent proprietor, it is classified DEPENDENT (center to center-right in stance).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 962
81/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
1586
Articles
1536
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
FM4 Frequency: Significantly fewer crimes than in previous years
The FM4 Frequency Festival in St. Pölten concluded with a report of significantly fewer crimes compared to previous years. Police recorded four cases of sexual harassment, two instances of resistance against state authority, a single-digit number of assaults, and few property offenses during the event. The police chief noted that while some people might file reports after returning home, the expected number of crimes was 'low double digits,' much lower than past figures where there were often over 300 incidents. The absence of 'Zeltschlitzerbanden' (tent thieves) was highlighted as a positive change. The Red Cross reported 1,296 medical interventions, with 68 requiring hospital transport, primarily due to minor injuries and circulation issues. They praised the calm atmosphere and responsible behavior of attendees. An incident involving an exploded car battery occurred late into the night but did not escalate further.
The memory of the world champion
The article features an interview with Luise Maria Sommer, a memory world champion known as 'Memo-Königin' (Memory Queen), discussing her techniques for memorization and her career as a teacher and memory competitor. She describes using visual imagery to convert abstract information into memorable images, a method rooted in ancient Greek practices. Sommer recounts her journey from being called 'the forgetful Luise' to becoming a memory expert after meeting Professor Gunter Iberer, who inspired her to believe that memory can be trained. She shares experiences from competing in memory championships, including a Guinness World Records achievement involving navigating a staircase while memorizing directions. Sommer also reflects on the role of television appearances and managing stage fright, emphasizing the importance of mental exercise in an age dominated by AI and smartphones. She warns against over-reliance on technology, advocating for active thinking before consulting AI.
Sackerl and cockroach persist: Austriasms do not disappear
A new study by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and the University of Vienna examines the persistence of Austro-Bavarian dialect words ('Austriazismen') in the media landscape. Using the 'Austrian Media Corpus' covering 2001–2023, comprising around 51 million articles and ten billion words, the research finds that the frequency of Austriazismen compared to their standard German counterparts has remained largely stable over two decades. Linguist Alexandra N. Lenz notes that no variant has disappeared, but rather maintained consistent usage rates. Previous studies often relied on smaller word lists and surveys, suggesting older generations used more Austriazismen than younger ones, raising concerns about their decline. This latest study analyzed entire variation fields (e.g., 'haube', 'mütze', 'kappe') across 76 groups, revealing minimal shifts over 23 years. The researchers suggest the media environment may contribute to preserving these linguistic features. They plan future work examining the impact of AI and large language models on Austrian German.
George Russell wins the sprint at Zandvoort, pole position to Norris
In the Formula 1 sprint race at Zandvoort, Mercedes driver George Russell secured a straightforward start-to-finish victory ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and world champion Lando Norris. Norris claimed pole position for Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix, narrowly beating Russell and title leader Kimi Antonelli. Russell's third sprint win of the season narrowed his points deficit to 56 behind Antonelli, while Max Verstappen finished sixth. Norris expressed satisfaction with his 18th career pole, hoping to secure consecutive race wins. Russell remains optimistic about maintaining his improving form, possibly boosted by his engagement. Antonelli faced frustration over a mistake during qualifying, prompting Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to urge him to move forward.
Billions in Damages from Drought: How to Help Austria's Farmers Now
The article discusses the severe impact of drought on Austrian agriculture, with crop yields expected to drop by 20-50% and livestock feed shortages forcing farmers to sell their animals. Around 100,000 agricultural businesses are at risk of collapse. The government has initiated talks within the coalition to provide relief, with Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig requesting 250 million euros in immediate aid. The Farmers' Chamber is pushing for suspended social insurance contributions, costing around 300 million euros. Discussions ended without agreement, leaving the responsibility to Totschnig and the chamber. Previously, damage was estimated at one billion euros, while insurance covers only 400 million. Concerns remain over potential misallocation of funds, similar to past coronavirus aid packages. The SPÖ questions the subsidy of fossil fuels like agridiesel, suggesting these funds should instead support drought resilience and emergency funds. Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke emphasizes the need for long-term government effort but stresses maintaining the budget course.
Christian Thielemann and Augustin Hadelich: Brahms with Grandezza
The article reviews a concert by conductor Christian Thielemann and violinist Augustin Hadelich with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, focusing on their interpretation of Johannes Brahms' works. The performance included Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major, op. 77, where Hadelich demonstrated technical mastery and emotional depth. Despite a minor incident during the performance where a string on his violin broke, the concert continued smoothly. The review praises the orchestra's sound quality, Thielemann's conducting style, and the overall artistic excellence of the performance. The piece concludes with high praise for the musicians and the audience's enthusiastic reaction.
Good night .
The article discusses the impact of PFAS chemicals on health and environment, highlighting their presence in everyday products like non-stick cookware and waterproof makeup. It notes that these 'eternal chemicals' have been widely distributed globally, entering air, water, and human blood, and pose serious health risks. The documentary 'Gift in unserem Alltag: Die Plage der PFAS' is recommended as a resource, available on Arte and ORF 1. The piece criticizes the lack of accountability from companies and governments, suggesting that efforts to remove PFAS are costly and slow.
Up to 36 degrees, then cold front: this is the weather next week
The article provides a detailed weather forecast for the upcoming week in Austria, predicting increasingly warm temperatures peaking at up to 36°C by Friday, followed by the arrival of a cold front. On Monday, temperatures are expected to range between 21 and 27°C with mostly sunny conditions. Tuesday brings more cloud cover and occasional rain showers, particularly in western and southern regions, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C. Wednesday features partly cloudy skies with some light rain in mountainous areas, while Thursday remains largely sunny with temperatures rising to 33°C. The cold front arrives on Friday, bringing clouds and potential thunderstorms in western and southwestern regions, though eastern parts remain dry and sunny.
No wild card for a three-time Grand Slam champion
The article discusses the absence of Swiss tennis player Stan Wawrinka from receiving a wildcard entry at the 2026 US Open, which marks his final Grand Slam tournament. Despite having previously received wildcards for other major tournaments, Wawrinka was not granted a spot for his farewell appearance at Flushing Meadows, where he won the US Open in 2016. This decision ends his Grand Slam career prematurely, as he had already been eliminated at the first round during Wimbledon. The article also mentions other related tennis news, including Dominic Thiem's wildcard for his last Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic's improved position due to support from a French player, and updates on other players' participation and financial incentives for qualifying.
Russian drone crashes into passenger train to Odessa
A Russian drone struck a passenger train heading to Odessa, causing panic among nearly 600 passengers but no injuries. The incident occurred on a train numbered 147 traveling from Schytomyr to Odessa, which caught fire after the impact. Military governor Oleh Kiper described the attack as targeted and noted this was the second such attack during the evacuation process. Earlier in August, a similar attack in the region killed a locomotive operator and his assistant. Meanwhile, Russia reported casualties in Belgorod following a Ukrainian drone strike, though the numbers were disputed. The Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down 127 Russian drones, most of which were intercepted. Additionally, Ukraine targeted another warehouse of the Russian online retailer Ozon, resulting in fires and evacuations.
Griss about Gabalier and why a golden cam caused tears
The article discusses Andreas Gabalier's two sold-out concerts in Kitzbühel, Austria, where he performed with various artists including Irish Eurovision star Johnny Logan. Logan shared his past alcoholism in a song featured on Gabalier's new album 'Handwerk,' which was released on August 28. The event included a special honor from Kitzbühel's tourism office, awarding Gabalier a golden chamois antler plaque. Gabalier expressed deep emotion over the project being rooted in significant life moments, and announced plans to return in 2027. Tickets were available through the Kitzbühel music festival website.
19-year-old arrested in Penzing for attacking passers-by and dog
A 19-year-old man was arrested in Penzing, Austria, after allegedly attacking a woman and a dog, followed by verbal threats towards police officers. The incident occurred around 8 PM on Saturday, prompting police intervention. Upon arrival, officers found the man being restrained by a woman who later identified herself as his sister attempting to calm him. The teenager continued to verbally abuse and threaten the officers, using phrases like 'I will kill you' and 'I will stab you'. He had previously kicked a passerby and threatened other witnesses, including a man walking his dog, whom he reportedly struck. The suspect was subsequently charged with dangerous threats, resistance against state authority, assault, and animal cruelty, and was placed under police custody.
17-year-old driver disappeared after an accident in Salzburg
A 17-year-old driver with a provisional license was involved in a traffic accident on the B311 near Salzburg after speeding and being under the influence of alcohol. Following the crash, the teenager disappeared and triggered a large-scale search operation by firefighters and water rescue teams using boats, drones, and a quad. After approximately two hours, the young man was found about two kilometers away from the accident site in the village of Bischofshofen. His blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.9 promille. All three occupants of the vehicle were taken to the hospital for treatment.