For some time it has been obvious that Viktor Orbán is determined to silence Klubrádió. The station must be a real thorn in his side. And when this man hates someone or something he goes after it with a vengeance. He managed to ruin Ferenc Gyurcsány when he was in opposition. So, imagine what he can do now that his power is seemingly limitless.
Well, not really limitless. He ran into difficulty with the courts. I can imagine his fury every time the courts render a judgment in favor of Klubrádió. Not just in connection with the frequency the station is using at the moment but also the one Klubrádió won shortly before the elections but was deprived of under the new regime. I bet if he could he would send all the judges who ruled in Klubrádió’s favor packing.
Some readers of Hungarian Spectrum are convinced that sooner or later Viktor Orbán will win and the Media Council will be able to take away both frequencies Klubrádió currently is entitled to use. But this is too obvious a ploy. They have another plan. They will try to ruin it financially. Eventually, the owners of Klubrádió will have to throw in the towel because a station with such an uncertain future will not receive advertising revenues and it will not be able to survive solely from donations from its listeners. The so-called legal arguments the Media Council’s lawyers came up with so far border on the ridiculous. And when the arguments don’t work, they simply refuse to fulfill their court-ordered obligations. In brief, they ignore the law.
Here is a press release I received from András Arató, CEO of Klubrádió. I also include a recent post of Neelie Kroes, European commissioner for digital agenda and one of the vice-presidents of the European Commission. As you can see from her letter dated November 26, it seems that not only Klubrádió’s patience is running out.
* * *
A press release by Klubrádió, November 30, 2012
To the Media Council:
Lately you have been entertaining the public with lies and misrepresentations of facts on a daily basis concerning the legal status of the Klubrádió’s frequencies. What is more, you have an enormous staff and you spend huge amounts of public money to suppress a radio station not to your liking.. In this press release, we would like to react to your latest announcement dated 29 November.
You claim that “the Media Council has been continuously and reliably providing Klubrádió the opportunity to operate in the last two years.” In fact, the Media Council allows us to use our frequency by issuing temporary licenses for two-month periods at a time. We only learned on Wednesday that we would be allowed to broadcast next Tuesday. And this has been going on for two years although so far six court judgments have confirmed that we have the right to use a frequency permanently. Your inexplicable behavior causes immense losses to Klubrádió and to its hundreds of thousands of listeners, to the freedom of press and to Hungary.
You also claim that “the Media Council has reduced the annual fee to HUF 3 million from HUF 11 million for the Kecskemét frequency and to HUF 4.1 million from HUF 8.5 million for the Debrecen frequency of Klubrádió.” You are misleading the public again as you have not reduced the HUF 25 million fee of Klubrádió’s Budapest frequency in spite of the fact that you did lower the fees for all the commercial stations in the country. You were cynical when you claim that Klubrádió had been left out of the fee reduction because of the temporary status of its frequency rights. Also, you keep the rate of reduction confidential in all the other cases, including that of Class FM, which could be HUF 100 million or even more. Another of your pets, Lánchíd Rádió, is given frequency after frequency in the country free of charge. Katolikus Rádió, Mária Rádió and Európa Rádió don’t have to pay fees at all. To keep repeating that you assist Klubrádió is a cynical proposition. Klubrádió and its partners are in a difficult financial situation primarily because of the Media Council’s actions.
“The Media Council still considers the owner of Klubrádió a partner,” you allege. No, you have never treated Klubrádió as a partner. You offended the public when you wanted to waste Klubrádió’s frequency through a call for tenders issued for stations with a music profile; when you declared Autórádió Kft. which submitted an atrocious offer, the winner; when you did not allow Klubrádió to use the frequency it had won at a tender; when you ignore final and nonappealable judicial decisions and act as if you were above the law. It is clear that the Media Council wants to silence Klubrádió by any means.
The Media Council brings international condemnation to the current Hungarian government by making it clear that there is something very wrong with the state of the free media in Hungary.
* * *
My latest thoughts on Hungary and media pluralism and freedom
by Commissioner Neelie Kroes
November 26th, 2012
Throughout 2012, my staff and I have been paying close attention to the state of media pluralism and media freedom in Hungary, and this issue was dealt with again today when I spoke with the Culture committee at the European Parliament.
I welcome changes in the Hungarian Media Legislation that have been proposed or already made by Hungary. However, these changes do not address all the outstanding substantial concerns I have. My concerns remain serious, and I expect Hungary to not only continue its dialogue with the Council of Europe but to take rapid further action. In other words, it is not enough for the government to say it is in talks with the Council of Europe.
These actions are essential for Hungarian democracy, and also to assure investors about a stable political climate and a safe investment environment in Hungary. These values and conditions are at risk if rule of law and access to information are not guaranteed. News reporting should not be censored or controlled by a government’s actions.
In particular, I want to see immediate action ensuring the real independence of the Media Council; measures to reduce the excessive concentration of powers in the hand of the Media Council and better measures to ensure the effective independent functioning of publicly-funded media. Solutions can be found in co-operation with the Council of Europe – so let’s see them.
In my view, the Media Council should also reconsider its practices for assigned radio frequencies. The best example of recent problems is several court judgements confirming that the Media Council repeatedly violated the legal requirements related to frequency assignment procedures. We are talking about the famous Klubradio issue.
When the Media Council questions the consistency of the rulings of the court it is questioning the rule of law. This is a serious issue that goes beyond just the uncertain situation of Klubradio. It also offends common sense! Let me cite an extreme example: the Media Council wanted to diminish media pluralism – by excluding all tender proposals including Klubrádió’s – because the blank back sides of the pages of the tender documents had not been signed. This is not reasonable, it is not a sufficient ground for such a drastic decision that affects both media pluralism and the stable conduct of business.
So, let me finish by saying that this lengthy and complicated legal battle should end. Regardless of what anybody thinks of its content, Klubradio provides an important forum for opposition voices in Hungary. The court has consistently rejected the actions of the Media Council which would make its functioning impossible in practice, and now it is time to move forward.
It’s time for the Media Council and the Hungarian Government to take media pluralism and freedom out of danger.
* * *
Let’s hope that Viktor Orbán, because he is directly behind this affair, will realize that he is going too far.
Hungarian Spectrum 
London Calling!
I think Klubrádió is Orban’s bete noir
Macho football-man will not relent – especially to a woman.
In addition he won’t risk losing face to the international community with his siege mentality.
And of course as Master to his underlings in parliament – he will resist all danger of appearing weak to them. Hungarian semi-god – The Defender.
You are right Eva – this has Orban’s clumsy – dirty – fingers all over it – that’s why the excuses are so banal – they lack the imagination to make it look otherwise.
Klubrádió is a gonner, I’m afraid.
I equate it to Radio Four in England. I would be bereft if ever it was lost. Truly bereft. I imagine Klubrádió’s audience will feel it too.
RIP Klubrádió
Regards
Charlie
I have phoned in the afternoon program twice to urge action for Klubradio. Based on the assumption that the station is a business in a free market, (yes I know, it is only the assumption of an assumption), I suggested two simultaneous steps to be taken and still think those steps should be taken. First the station, i.e. the company running the station, should ask the court to send the bailiff to the Media Authority, execute the judgement and thus create the contract necessary for long-term operation of the station. The other is an immediate law suite against the Authority for some gigantic financial compensation. This second one would be quite plausible to win since the company has several court decisions in its favour.
The legal teem looking after the company’s affairs is a stellar collection of lawyers and I have no doubt that they do the best possible job. However, for some inexplicable reason they are reluctant to place themselves into the assumption and resort to drastic measures. I don’t think them to be intimidated by the circumstances, but rather think that they are gunning to win an absolute brilliant victory.
The more aggravated the situation is becoming, and it is very aggravated indeed, the more addicted I become to this station and the more I am rooting for their success. I have just noticed that my whole day is planned around certain programs, so I can listen to them.
It’s hardly a well kept secret that KlubRadio does receive covert financial support from the MSZP, so I don’t believe it will really go under through lack of money. Unless MSZP are running out of stashed cash. But it is clear that Orbán is going to restrict it to Budapest only and it is slightly cheering that there is still some semblance of an independent judiciary, otherwise I think Klubrádio would no longer be broadcasting.
It is sobering though to realise that before 2010, Klubradio was state financed. Not officially of course, but through the same channels of state advertising (the lottery for example) that keep Fidesz’s own radio stations and print media afloat now. Perhaps if it had developed a proper business model that didn’t rely on state handouts, it might now be in a more powerful position.
Aha. Like what? Advertising revenue? You very well know Kingfisher that in Hungary it is getting more and more risky to help anything the criticizes the Gröfaz. You help an opposition radio by advertising on their station then you will magically loose orders from other companies. The millions of tentacles of the Simicska polip. This may or may not happen, but the fear is very cleverly planted into the head of the population by the Orban goebbels squads. So don’t be cynical.
I’m no lawyer and have no clue about the process, but I fully agree with Ambator on countersuing the state. This will also create a very nice publicity about the station.
By the way I’m regularly listening to Klubradio here in Virginia during my 40 minute drive back from my office. I tune in to the internet live broadcast on my iPhone and plug in the phone into my car stereo. One day I may even call them.
@ Kingfisher
Is there any hard evidence that Klubrádio was state financed prior to 2010? And why should it have been? There was enough advertising income until Fidesz shied off potential advertisers. Even harder evidence is needed to convince me that Klubrádio is now being funded by MSZP. What I know for certain, though, is that apart from my girlfriend thousands of people send a specific amount monthly to the Klubrádio foundation.
What kind of information / disinformation is yours?
I believe Klubrádió will outlive Orbán. It’s a sub-critical mass, yes. But as long as ATV and this radio survive, the Hungarians at least have a prayer in hell. And so far it is also one of the few critical indicator items that caught the eye of the EU Commission. The EU has lots on its hands, but it is not totally deaf and blind.
It would seem someone is in contempt of the courts… or does that matter???
With all due respect, you are dreaming. There is no bailiff system in Hungary. There is nobody that can execute the orders, except if you call the police. But in this case they will not help.
Suite the Authority? That does not help at all, see what happened so far. The EU laws state that people can be made personal responsible. According tome you should suite on personal level? Start with one or two an see how that is going. In my opinion this porn lady is a good candidate to start with.
London Calling!
LwiiH
“It would seem someone (The Media Authority?) is in contempt of the courts… or does that matter??? “
It doesn’t matter!
Being above the law appears to be a permanent Hungarian position for Government Agencies. In essence they are a law unto themselves.
I have had an ongoing fight with the arrogant supercilious attitude of the Hungarian Immigration – and Data Protection – authorities in Győr and Budapest.
The following is optional reading for background!..
(To cut a long story short – I foolishly applied for an address card believing that it would ease my financial transactions in Hungary. Foolish boy! After five futile visits I still had no address card – in what was a truly Kafkaesque experience. They turn off the numbered queueing system in a truly communist era trick – “Look no queue”! When the Englishman has the temerity to ask how long the wait is they slam the door in your face. And the rudeness of staff in a very open public office is legendary – they will just pick the phone up mid-sentence and leave you hanging while they deal with the caller. And there is no flexibility whatsoever – even when they know who they are dealing with. They hold more information on me than they do in England – three months Bank statements; Passport images; addresses in both country’s and driving licence. All the information for perfect id fraud. And they hold it in very suspect insecure flimsy conditions – open flimsy cabinets in a room of dubious security. I have a very intimate relationship with the door – as it was slammed in my face. The final straw was that on every visit the keys to the main front door were left dangling in it while the office was open. Even though I pointed out to the nearby security man that they could easily be copied and returned – they were dangling on every visit. On ‘giving up’ my final act was to insist that as the ‘address card’ process was abortive they should destroy my details, preferably in my presence – according to internationally agreed Data Protection principles (“holding of data unnecessarily”). They refused. On contacting the Data Protection body in Budapest (‘NAIH’) – they refuse to require the immigration office to destroy my data.)
Ok – back to compulsory!
My MEP has clarified the position in the European Parliament – twice – and on both occasions they have responded with the appropriate ruling requiring NAIH to remove my data.
NAIH have arrogantly and rudely refused – employing the terminal telephone technique. (And quoting long passages of impenetrable Law – an ‘inertia’ trick employed to make you go away.)
On the second occasion I simply asked the Data Protection Agency: how can they prosecute Hungarian companies for Data Protection breaches (as boasted on their website) – when they themselves are in breach of European Data Protection law? – Ditto the Immigration Office in Győr. And copied the email to all the head honchos of NAIH.
I have no doubt that my information will continue to be held in Győr in insecure circumstances while the Immigration Office and the Data Protection Authority flout International Law and treaties.
In my democracy – (in England) – none of this would have occurred – and you would have been listened to fairly and politely – with recourse to a complaints procedure if not. While you may be unlucky to hit the occasional problem person having a bad day – the institutionalised rudeness and unhelpfulness – so ingrained into the Hungarian Officialdom Psyche – is everywhere. Why? As a ‘go away’ technique it must work on the average Hungarian – but to an Englishman? No. He digs and and fights on.
If I bored you – sorry!
Regards
Charlie
London Calling!
Yes – once Orban has ‘contained’ Klubrádió to Budapest – an expensive place from which to broadcast – it will be starved further of its lifeblood – advertising.
A long slow death, maybe – but a death nevertheless.
Orban is ruthless.
Regards
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
Yep you are foolish. Not for applying an address card, but the way you do it. You should have said that you do not want this card, but you need to as it ease Hungary’s burden. My words. In the end I end up with five address cards. Why? Because the Hungarian system could not handle my name (three first names, Hungary only allows two).
Btw if you are not satisfied with this office (okmany iroda), which handle your stuff, go to another one. The website is http://www.okmanyiroda.hu for appointments and information (in Hungarian).
London Calling!
Ron! Now you tell me! – Thanks.
I still don’t understand why Hungarians have address cards – nothing of the kind exists – or is necessary – in England. And as far as I can ascertain, is unnecessary in most EU countries.
And you need to register again to vote! Unbelievable!
Just another level of bureaucracy where officials can visit their supercilious and arrogant frustration upon you – and ruin your day.
It’s interesting that you have five of the things – I have three first names so my problems may not have ended after just five visits. I lost the will to live. They can only deal with you if they believe that you are an inferior life form – or an inferior foreigner.
All this bureaucracy must cost a fortune? Certainly a fortune in despair and frustration – these officials must need psychiatric help with all this pent up hate – for that is what it is. They hate their jobs, and they hate the public. I am certain of that.
And things have gone to far as you can see. I value your advice – but a foreigner doesn’t have the luxury to ‘play’ the system like a wily Hungarian!
I think the root of their problems is the blindingly obvious absence of they themselves trying out their own systems – to see what their ‘publics’ have to suffer – or they don’t even care.
Regards
Charlie.
Mrs. Kroes,
“In particular, I want to see immediate action ensuring the real independence of the Media Council.”
Well it will not happen. So what will be the next step?
Eva, something i can not grasp:
The Prime-ministers office
“December 1, 2012 1:53 PM
The United States reacted positively to Hungary’s position on the areas of change for which it has drawn most criticism, said Deputy State Secretary for International Communications Ferenc Kumin on Friday, summing up the discussions he had in New York and Washington during his week-long visit to the United States.”
Maybe you might have much better information. Is this claim true?
December 1, 2012 at 9:48 am | #31 Quote
Eva S. Balogh :
tappanch :
Dear Eva,
Kumin, one of Orban’s propaganda guru said that during his talks in Washington DC, US officials expressed their satisfaction with the developments in Hungary.
Is this true?
http://hvg.hu/vilag/20121130_Kumin_meguszta_a_legneccesebb_temat_Ameri
Of course, not. They brazenly lie from top to bottom.
I found the two articles about the same conversation. The first one is the government’s press release. The second ADL’s description of the same.
http://www.kormany.hu/hu/miniszterelnokseg/hirek/a-ragalmazas-elleni-liga-adl-meltanyolja-a-magyar-kormany-gyors-reakciojat-a-szelsoseges-kijelentesekre
http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASInt_13/ADL+Calls+on+Hungarian+Government+to+Take+Action+Against+Anti-Semitic+Comments+in+Parliament.htm
And this one is MTI’s efforts at combining the two.
http://galamus.hu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177373:gyoengyoesi-felszolalasa-a-ragalmazas-elleni-liga-meltanyolja-a-magyar-reakciot&catid=76:hazai-vonatkozasu-hirek&Itemid=113
Enjoy!
See https://hungarianspectrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/hungarian-antisemitism-how-to-combat-it/comment-page-1/#comment-38169 see remark number 31. It was covered there.
Speaking of bureaucracy:
From January 1, 2013, Hungary will have an extra layer of bureaucracy called “jaras”.
Orban created this appointed layer just to give jobs to his Fidesz party faithful.
In this tiny country, there are
local level communities (elected)
jaras (appointed)
megye (elected & appointed)
regio
country.
This borders on insane.
In the US, there is social security card & driver’s license.
In Hungary,
1. ID Card
2. Address Card
3. Tax card
4. Health card
5. Driver’s license
6. Individual Entrepreneur’s card
If you are an individual entrepreneur, you have to file a tax
return and pay every month (!) by the 12th.
Furthermore, you have a lot of people who are working in so-called associations but are paid with tax payers money.
In your list your forgot the passport, international social security card, car’s insurance card, if you have a car your forgalmi engyedi (car’s id card). But they abolished the car’s green card.
Regarding the 12th date is about salary and social security amount payable, and in my opinion is normal. (mostly fixed amounts).
Other deadlines:
20th all taxes (advances and filing), exception Local Business Tax (15/03 and 15/09)
20th of December payment of 90% of Corporate Taxes
20th February next year filing of all statistical forms and and most of the taxes, excluding Corporate Tax and Payroll Taxes..
@Ron
Passport, car insurance and registration exist in the US too. But you can renew your registration online.
I confess: so far I’ve read only Eva’s commentary but I feel I have enough to write on without reading the rest.
First off, I’m afraid western minds are not fully appreciative of the deviousness of the Felcsutian we know as Orban. It is entirely possible that Orban does NOT hate Klubradio but uses it for various purposes: one, he tortures it with the Media Council as well as denying it government advertising funds. Keeping the issue continually before the public it serves as a warning and a reminder of what can happen to anyone who takes him on.
Two, allowing the courts to throw up the odd, ineffectual challenge–Klubradio still hasn’t gotten a frequency–gives the outside world the verisimilitude of a law-abiding state. Three, the continuous torturing of Klubradio is the sadist’s pleasure in delivering pain to the liberal elements in society Orban considers his enemies (and the enemies of the State!).
So you see, think not that there is frustration here on the part of Orban, just the pure pleasure of a sadist gone mad.
That is the absurd thing. Although they do have all the info about everyone (and I bet you more than you care to know), now you will have to get into the same burocratical nightmare just to say that you actually want to execute you democraticly given right to vote.
How much will that cost to the government? I guess Fidesz have some friends who are out of work, and now they can fill a whole floor with people who can take care of that voters data too.
I just watched the demonstration. Huge crowd from all over. I was worried about Fidesz stealing the show by putting Rogán on the podium when the party and Orbán are largely responsible for the present situation. But, no, Attila Mesterházy made a very tough speech in which he “demanded” that Orbán tomorrow at the beginning of the session distance himself from Jobbik. Because until now he said absolutely nothing.
Now, we will see the Hungarian spin doctors at work for sure. I would be shocked if Orban would clearly say that Jobbik is a disgrace for Hungary and for the Parliament and their consistent direct and camouflaged attack against Hungarian Jews or Hungarian gypsies is dispicable by him.
Rogan serves as the designated ‘hostage’ to the forces of decency. It’s all sham, of course.
All make believe and orchestration in which Orban revels. He wants the Fidesz party to be seen as straddling the border of decency (at least), but believe it not. At best, Orban will deliver another “I’ll-slap-them-in-the-face-speech” to appease the gullibles…
London Calling!
There are some amazing ‘Heil Marci’ posters showing Gyöngyösi with a Hitler moustache!
Well done Hungary – you have returned to the human race.
Only one problem – you’ve left Orban behind.
Regards
Charlie
http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/world/article/Thousands-attend-anti-Nazi-rally-in-Hungary-4085006.php
I would be careful to call Rogan’s speech just a sham. I was there and heard his speech and I wouldn’t exclude the possibility that Rogan is really against Jobbik on this issue, if only because his children are called Aron and Daniel, too. His speech was a very personal one and he refrained from speaking as a Fidesm man, but it was strong nevertheless and got quite some applause. Fidesz is a strange mixture of anti-Semites and friends of anti-Semites, and anti-Nazi authoritarian conservatives. So it will be interesting to see how this develops. I do not think Orbán will distance himself clearly from Jobbik, but still. After all, who would have thought a year ago that Csanádi is now one of Israels best friends?
By the way, I think Bajnai also made a strong speech, positioning himself again as a strong center force in politics.
I quite liked Antal early on, until the statue fiasco and how he subsequently handled the press. Well, if his kids are called Aron and Daniel–by which I suppose you mean that he is jewish–than he may well have been sincere. I’m glad to hear it. All in all, Orban is not above letting the bait run free a bit; and Orban, whatever the rumours of being 1/4 or 1/2 jewish, is no friend to jews…certainly not according to his past actions.
Unfortunately it is getting more complicated in the US too. Most people need some kind of health insurance card (usually several – dental, medical, drugs); if one is driving:insurance document for the car, registration document for the car; there is also serious talk about introducing a national ID card – as part of the immigration reform; if one works in any somewhat sizable company, an ID card is required to open the door; many of us pay taxes to the town, to the county, to the state and to the federal government (each jurisdiction has its own government, it is true that the system does not work the way the banana-republic style Orban regime does).
Sign this petition to stop anti-Hungarian hatred
http://www.peticiok.com/tiltakozunk_hazank_gyalazasa_ellen
I doubt that anyone will sign your petition from here.
London Calling!
Certainly not from London either!
Regards
Charlie
Economic history
The number of newly built apartments is at a 90-year low in Hungary!
1921 low: below 10,000
1926 top: above 50,000
1933 low: 18,000
1975 top: 100,000
1999 low: 19,000
2004 top: 44,000
2012 9,000
http://nol.hu/kep/790141
Laszlo,
what exactly do you think Hungarians deserve presently when they back a madman at the helm who is principally responsible for making the country the laughingstock of Europe and the world?
And, by the petition, am I to understand that you want to support the continuance of this perception in the world?
(Get a grip on yourself, man, and learn to discriminate between what is Right and what is
Nationalistic & Wrong.)