This is true.
Franz Joseph made a number of steps towards giving his subjects a constitution. The major one was the passing of the December Constitution on December 21, 1867, which was valid in Austria until the fall of the Empire in 1918. Parts of this constitution are still in force. Among others the constitution established freedom of the press- this law is an example of law from that time that is still valid.
He also worked to put down rebel uprising, as these would lead to a possible split of his country along the ethnic borders and a loss of power by the emperor.
