2008 key figures The website www.volksanwaltschaft.gv.at is becoming more and more important as a source of information. In 2008 nearly 175,000 persons informed themselves about AOB members and their specific areas of responsibility. Users from a total of 135 countries – mainly from Germany, Sweden, the United States and Switzerland – wanted to learn more about the Austrian Ombudsman Board. To meet this rising interest, AOB is currently working on a new version of its information portal. Information in the Internet Calling for efficient measures against consumer fraud on the Internet and demanding support for thalidomide victims by Austrian public authorities: the ORF TV show Bürgeranwalt continues to be a major platform for AOB issues. Each week particularly striking cases are presented to an average audience of 320,000 viewers. The programme has reached an average market share of 29% and is thus one of the most frequently viewed ORF programmes on Saturdays, including in households with cable and satellite reception. Bürgeranwalt 1.2. broadcast weekly by ORF Focus of work and investigations 14,640 persons contacted the AOB with their concerns in 2008. In 9,641 cases, people felt they had been poorly treated by public authorities or were provided with insufficient information. The AOB initiated more investigative proceedings in 2008 than ever. In 6,563 cases, i.e., 68.1% of all complaints about public authorities, the AOB initiated a detailed investigation. This percentage sharply increased in comparision to 2007 by 6.1%. 3,000 cases involved complaints that fell within the AOB's scope of responsibility, but from the beginning no maladministration could be determined. In these cases, the AOB provided additional information and legal advice. More investigative proceedings than ever Many people contact the AOB when they are worried that they will not be able to enforce their rights. Just over 5,000 cases in the reporting period concerned questions not related to the AOB's investigative duties – for example, problems under family law related to a divorce or disputes concerning custody arrangements. In these cases the AOB also provided assistance and informed and advised complainants. The AOB established contacts to the competent authorities and outlined potential solutions for the parties. Information and advice not related to AOB's investigative duties 6 32nd Report of the Austrian Ombudsman Board to the National Council and the Federal Council 2008