Strache spy?

What the fitness guru did for his own ORF program

Once again in the spotlight due to supposedly confidential chats: Heinz-Christian Strache

(Bild: APA Picturedesk, stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

New FPÖ chats show how the blue party wanted to recolor the ORF. Heinz-Christian Strache's fitness trainer Philipp Jelinek was given his own TV program and apparently spied on ORF internals in return ...

The ORF and its editors - the number one enemy of the FPÖ. This realization is nothing new per se. However, the new chats of former FPÖ Vice-Chancellor Strache, which were delivered to the U-Committee, document crystal clear how great the frustration of the then governing parties with the ORF was - and above all how the blue party wanted to recolor it.

Once again in the spotlight due to allegedly confidential chats: Heinz-Christian Strache

(Bild: APA Picturedesk, stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

A list of names inside and outside the ORF, identified as blue confidants from the FPÖ seats, are being traded in the chats as candidates for top positions. However, the WhatsApp messages also reveal embarrassing ingratiation on the part of some former members of the ORF management. Want some examples?

ORF reform now!!!!!

Heinz-Christian Strache nach einer „ZiB 2“

"Unfortunately, editors at Ö3 are particularly left-wing," mocks ORF Foundation Councilor Franz Xaver Maurer. "ORF reform now!!!!! ZiB2 was simply crazy," Strache types into the blue chat group. According to the blue ideas, the popular ORF correspondent Christian Wehrschütz should be given more weight on ORF. Strache brings him into play as Paul Lendvai's successor for the European studio or alternatively as ORF regional director in Linz or Salzburg.

Thür teases us on Twitter.

Auch Harald Vilimsky ist nicht glücklich mit den „ZiB 2“-Moderatoren.

On the other hand, "ZiB 2" presenter Martin Thür has fallen out of favor: "Thür is taking the piss on Twitter. Must finally hit the table," wrote Harald Vilimsky in the chat group in February 2019.

Strache's fitness coach becomes the nation's gymnast
The cabaret delicacy in the chats is provided by the career of Strache's fitness coach Philipp Jelinek. During Strache's time in government, he becomes the nation's new gymnast with "Fit mit Philipp". This career leap is not enough for Strache's fitness guru. He wants to become a "Willkommen Österreich" presenter. In return - as the recently leaked chats suggest - he repeatedly spies on ORF internals for Strache.

You (...) overlook the fact that Schwarz is positioning Indians at the bottom (...).

Fitnesscoach Philipp Jelinek an Strache

At the end of March 2018, he wrote to Strache: "You're really letting yourselves be ripped off. You're only looking to get people into the top positions and overlook the fact that Black is doing a proper shake-up at the bottom and getting their Indians into position."

Got my permanent ORF contract :-)

Philipp Jelineks Erfolgsmeldung

At the end of July 2018, fitness coach Philipp is overjoyed and reports to Strache: "Got my permanent ORF contract  - they've also made financial improvements. (...) I would like to thank you for your trust and support!!!"

Gabalier on Ö3
According to the chats, it was also a matter close to Strache's heart that pop singer Andreas Gabalier was played on Ö3 again.

Thomas Prantner "went all out" for the Blue Party during the reporting on orf.at.

(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

The chat history of long-time ORF manager Thomas Prantner is a prime example of ingratiation. After his failed application to become ORF General, he left ORF in 2022. For many years, he was responsible for ORF's online reporting.

Dear HC, (...) You can rely on me.

Ex-ORF-Manager Thomas Prantner

He sends messages to Strache with the following critical journalistic messages: "Dear HC, (...) You can rely on me." Or: "I am the only one in the entire ORF who has worked hard for a fair treatment of the FPÖ on orf.at."