Editor's Note: Envisioning a Healthy Democracy

Editor's Note: Envisioning a Healthy Democracy

A note from Features Editor Alexandra Tempus on the state of our terminally ill democracy.

Democracy, Propaganda and Media

Democracy is generally considered “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” However, it is very hard to reach a universally agreed definition. As George Orwell observed, “not only is there no agreed definition (of the word democracy), but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides.” While democracy is often built on the promise of an informed and equal public, where citizens actively participate in politics and decis…

Presentation of the results of the first Austrian Citizens' Council "Media and Democracy" on 25 June 2025. The Citizens' Council "Media and Democracy" has met and formulated the future demands on media in a lively democracy. Twenty representatives from all social areas have adopted 50 resolutions, as guidelines for a diverse media world in democracy. The results will be presented in June to media-responsible, political decision-makers and the wi…