National Radio and Television Board (ORTT) president László Majtényi resigned on Thursday, one day after the results of the radio frequency tender were announced.
Numerous reports suggested that the Socialists and Fidesz had agreed to divide the two frequencies used by commercial stations Danubius Rádió and Sláger Rádió since 1997 among themselves. They are the only two terrestrial broadcast radio frequencies receivable throughout Hungary. Both stations are owned by foreign investors.
In resigning, Majtényi said it has become impossible to keep the broadcast media regulator free of party politics.
One of the winners, Advenio, was founded on September 7 with Ft 5 million in capital. It is two-thirds owned by lawyer Zsolt Nyerges, and one-third by Lánchíd Asset Manager, founded by the right-wing Lánchíd Rádió, origo.hu reported. It has been awarded the frequency used by Danubius.
Sláger’s frequency will be used by the FM1 consortium of the Est Média Group and its subsidiary Rádiocafé 98.6. Advenio will broadcast as Klassz Rádió and Sláger will be succeeded by Neo FM from November 19.
Majtényi said earlier this week that Advenio’s bid had formal irregularities, while other applicants did not present proper business plans.
In Brussels Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said part of the common interest is that the largest possible revenue be paid to the state from the sale of commercial radio stations, adding that the ORTT must assert appropriate guarantees, ones that cannot be changed over the next seven years.
It should also be ensured, he continued, that anyone who listens to commercial radio stations should be confident that they are hearing independent news reports rather than those edited according to political bias.
Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán told reporters in Brussels that if the procedure was legally sound, then he, as a politician, has no part to play.
Responding to calls by the Free Democrats and the Democratic Forum for a parliamentary investigative commission into a possible back-room deal between Fidesz and the Socialists, Fidesz press chief Bertalan Havasi said a decision had been made in which Fidesz had not intended, nor does it intend to interfere. Socialist officials also rejected the accusation.
The Hungarian Journalists Association issued a statement on Thursday calling the ORTT decision a violation of the norms of democratic public life and the interests of the public.
Sláger Rádió CEO Edina Heal said Hungarian democracy and press freedom have suffered great damage, adding that the station, owned by US media concern Emmis, will take legal action as the procedure was unlawful. Danubius said it will not make a statement until it is officially notified by the ORTT.
Majtényi said he will step down on November 30 as he wants to give time to President László Sólyom and Bajnai to nominate a successor and wind up ongoing affairs. Majtényi was appointed in April of last year.
He went to Sólyom’s office on Thursday to personally give the President his letter of resignation. Sólyom acknowledged Majtényi’s decision with regret and understanding.
Advenio’s Klassz Rádió will reportedly delve into the music of the 1970s and 1980s with at least 35% of the content being Hungarian music. It wants to also devote broadcast time to cultural shows and civilian magazine programs.
FM1′s Neo Rádió will provide high standard cultural programs, also with at least 35% of the music being Hungarian, said Est Média chief executive Tamás Kádár.