TV2 service provider sanctioned by penalty for incorrect age-rating
At its last meeting, the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) imposed a penalty of HUF 1.75 million on the service provider of TV2 for incorrect age-rating. The Council completed the formal review of the tenders for two frequencies in Budapest and one in Pápa, finalised the tender notices for one frequency in Budapest and one in Tapolca, and approved the draft tenders for three rural frequencies.
Based on a complaint, the Council examined the service provider of TV2 and sanctioned it with a penalty of HUF 1.75 million for broadcasting a March episode of the programme entitled Tények Plusz as “Not recommended under the age of twelve” instead of “Not recommended under the age of sixteen”, and instead of between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am broadcast it between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm despite topics of sexuality being discussed in the programme which could have had a harmful effect on viewers under the age of 16. The body also issued a warning to the operator of FIX television after in an episode of ÉPI-TECH Magazine broadcast in mid-March it encouraged viewers to purchase the products of a sponsor company selling building materials, which is illegal. In addition, it failed to meet its legal obligation of adding a warning about product placement in the programme. The Media Council always assesses the type and level of legal consequence based on a gradual approach and the principle of proportionality by taking all the circumstances of each case into account.
One tender offer was submitted for each frequency tenders for the community use of the Budapest 100.3 MHz regional frequency, the Budapest 103.9 MHz regional frequency and the Pápa 95.7 MHz local frequency. The Media Council carried out the formal reviews and on the basis of the results it called on Roma Rádió Kft. to submit additional and missing information, registered LBK Médiaszolgáltató 2020 Kft. and after receiving its submission of additional and missing information registered Pápai Platán Nonprofit Kft. The body agreed that Médiahíd Kft. should start its community media service entitled Mária Rádió Nyírség on the Nyíregyháza 106.8 MHz regional frequency by 23 October at the latest, instead of 23 July.
The Media Council finalised the tender notices for the commercial use of the Budapest 96.4 MHz regional frequency and the community use of Tapolca 101.8 MHz local frequency for which offers may be submitted on the days defined in the tender notices. The Council approved the draft calls for tenders for the community use of the local frequencies of 107.4 MHz in Szombathely, 92,9 MHz in Zalaegerszeg and 92,5 MHz in Esztergom. The documents will be available on the NMHH website.