Calls for tender launched for three radio frequencies in rural Hungary

Published: 31 January 2020

At this week’s session, the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) finalised the calls for tender for the frequencies of Kecskemét, of Siklós and Szigetvár. The board announced Karc FM Média Kft. as the winner of the tender for the Kaposvár 97.5 MHz frequency, and it imposed a fine on the operator of Rádió 1 for incorrect age rating.

Radio decisions

The Council finalised the calls for tender for the community use of the Siklós 88.6 MHz and Szigetvár 98.9 MHz local radio frequencies as well as the Kecskemét 97.7 MHz regional radio frequency, which will be published on its website on Friday. Bids may be submitted on 5 March, 6 March, and 11 March, respectively.

The Council decided to announce Karc FM Média Kft. as the winner of the tender for the community use of the Kaposvár 97.5 MHz local frequency. The operator will broadcast programmes of the Budapest, Székesfehérvár, Tatabánya, Dunaújváros, Balatonfüred and Győr services of Karc FM by means of a coverage area expansion. Until 20 March 2020, Lánchíd Rádió Kft. will continue to broadcast its programme called Karc FM Pécs on the frequency.

Following the formal examination of the bid submitted for the commercial use of the Körmend 99.8 MHz local frequency, the Media Council called on the sole bidder Rádió 8 Körmend Kft. to supply missing information.

At the request of the operator, the board permitted Hold Reklám Kft. to pay its media service provision fee due in instalments. Based on the practice of the Media Council, the option to pay in instalments may be afforded to media service providers that have proven to be willing and able to pay and have not failed to make payment on instalments when they were previously granted this option.

Media supervisory decisions

In the administrative proceedings instituted upon a listener’s report and taking into account child protection considerations, the Media Council imposed a fine of HUF 350 thousand on the operator of Rádió 1 concerning an edition of the programme called Balázsék, falling in the category ‘not recommended below age 12’: one August morning, the hosts read out a letter from the audience and then talked about a tasteless act of vengeance against a teacher, committed a long time ago, putting it in a positive light, without offsetting their view or offering a contrary opinion. Programmes not suitable for children under 12 years of age may only be aired between 9 pm and 5 am, labelled as ‘Ages 16+’.

The Media Council examined a citizen’s report concerning the edition of 25 November 2019 of Sajtóklub, a programme broadcast on Hír Tv, and the way the hosts talked about MP Olivio Kocsis-Cake. The board established that the criticism expressed in the programme did not refer to the politician’s origin but to a statement made by him as a public actor, which might have offended personal sensitivities but did not constitute a violation of the fundamental right to human dignity, therefore the Authority decided no to institute proceedings in the case. The Authority also examined whether the programme featured any opinion that may be suitable for inciting hatred or exclusion, and it established that the programme could not possibly have such an effect or interpretation.

Based on a report forwarded by the media authority, the Romanian co-authority cautioned the operator of Mozi+, operating under its jurisdiction, for incorrect age rating and improper time schedules for the film Logan. Mozi+ had broadcast Logan at 7 pm on a day in October, even though it should have been rated and labelled ‘Ages 16+’, and only broadcast after 9 pm.

When imposing a fine, the Media Council always determines the form and extent of the sanctions with due consideration to all the circumstances of the specific case and employing the principle of progressiveness and proportionality.

The full agenda of the Media Council’s weekly sessions can be found on the Board’s website, along with the minutes of the meetings and all decisions taken; the latest decisions will be published after the necessary validation and administration period.