As the Hungarian Media Authority refuses to renew Klub Rádió’s licence for another 7 years, its president announces a battle on several fronts to keep its frequency. The main pro-government daily rejects claims that the authority’s intention is to stifle opposition voices. READ MORE
Left-wing columnists welcome a court decision which opens up the possibility for Klubrádió to keep its frequency. They suspect, however, that the Media Authority will try once again to find a way to silence the opposition radio station. READ MORE
Right-wing commentators are appalled by the statement of a judge who convicted but at the same time praised a protester for damaging a statue recently erected to Hungary’s interwar ruler. Left-wing analysts welcome the judge’s position and disagree with the Vice President of the Supreme Court, who scolded his colleague for expressing a personal opinion when issuing his verdict. READ MORE
In a comment on the decision of the Media Authority to disqualify Klubrádió from a frequency tender for formal mistakes in its bid, the leading left-wing daily contends that the Orbán government wants to silence all its critics. Pro-government papers strictly report the facts of the ruling, and refrain from commenting on the affair. READ MORE
According to centrist media experts the latest amendments to the Media Act might force the opposition radio station to re-apply for the status of public content provider and thus not be compelled to pay a frequency fee. A commentator close to the government warns that all attempts to stifle Klubrádió harm the government’s reputation. READ MORE
Népszava accuses the government of trying to silence the only left-wing radio station in Hungary, while Magyar Nemzet finds it unfair that the former liberal Mayor of Budapest can get away scot-free with the dismal heritage he left to his successor. READ MORE
A left wing commentator welcomes a court decision which upholds the validity of a broadcasting license won by the left-wing talk radio, and cautions the Media Authority against filing an appeal. READ MORE
A serious furore has erupted over the Media Council’s decision to award the frequency used by a left wing talk radio to another media company. A right wing analyst calls the decision an “especially bad one” as it has relaunched last year’s controversy over Hungary’s media law. READ MORE