Hot Topic - Hungary Media
Legal process can be arduous when claims cross borders. Broadcasters and publishers continue to struggle against governments intent on imposing control and political favoritism. International venues established by treaties often afford claimants a neutral hearing.
New laws taking effect with at New Year in Hungary attracted considerable attention from media and political commentators. Twenty years after escaping the Soviet Union’s grip, the authoritarian style of government is back in favor bring with it the urge to control the media sector. It’s not pretty but it’s easy to understand.
The dispute over national radio license renewals in Hungary, with suspected political intrigue, has spilled over to the United States Congress. Political and media watchers in Hungary have been surprised by international expressions of concern after US-based broadcaster Emmis International and Austrian investment fund Accession Mezzanine Capital lost license renewal applications. While both firms pursue legal remedies the political heat on the Hungarian government is rising.
Competitors circle
Hungary’s two national commercial radio channels are continuing to fight for their licenses. Both companies – Emmis International and Accession Mezzanine Capital - filed civil lawsuits against Hungarian media regulator ORTT asking the Budapest Municipal Court to halt the license transfers pending a civil trial. The Court ruled (November 14) against the application for an injunction, reported Magyar Nemzet. ORTT’s executive director resigned after the licenses were awarded to less experienced companies. ...MORE
The ugly side of politics and broadcasting has reared its head once again. Politicians see broadcasting licenses as fair game for political pay-offs. That everybody else loses is not their concern.
Undaunted by a lack of official sanction Hungary’s broadcast transmission company Antenna Hungaria (AH) is proceeding with digital radio trials on the DAB+ platform. From mid January six channels – three from Hungarian public broadcaster Magyar Radio and three digital-only channels from Swiss public broadcasting – are on the air in Budapest. Two more channels – national commercial broadcaster Slager Radio and Magyar Katolikus Rádió – will join this month.
Broadcast outlets in Eastern Europe were a magnet for venture capital investment before the 2004 EU accession. Media deals in Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic attracted first or second round financing from specialized investment funds. The tide is turning.
When a country signs up for EU membership it accepts the rules of the club. Hungary – and others in the EU 2004/2006 class – had a hard time accepting that Brussels takes this acquis communautaire seriously. The reality check was the summons to appear before the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Regrettable but true, protesters in the Hungarian capital Budapest continued violence through the week, specifically targeting media outlets.
The European Commission’s 2012 deadline for digital TV conversion only gets closer. And with RRC-06 looming large, digital frequency allocations are threatened by a lack of national legislation.
Budapest is busy. The buzz is all about the film industry, although skeptical. A major sound stage development has been announced, with Hollywood backing. The Hungarian film industry says more major productions want to come here but there's a lack of capacity. With so many "big ideas" announced in the last decade, Hungarians have adopted a "wait and see" attitude toward plans trumpeted about Budapest becoming the European Hollywood.
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Flying Through Turbulence – Media in the New EU Member States
ftm reports on media in the 12 newest EU Member States. Will media find clear air or more turbulence? Country reports, company reports and broadcaster/publisher reports. 98 pages PDF file (February 2007)
Free to ftm members and others from €49 Order
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