BKV investigates rightist posters at metro stations

Budapest public transport operator BKV has launched an investigation into whether posters advertising a right-wing magazine placed at metro stations last week are against the interests of the company.

According to mno.hu, the posters advertise the monthly Magyar Mérce and feature a turul bird and an Árpád-striped flag, both controversial symbols. A text above the picture of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány in handcuffs says: "Equality in the eyes of the law!"

The advertisement boards are not owned by BKV but by Peron Reklám Kft., but the transport company has received complaints from a number of passengers, said BKV Spokesperson Karola Kiricsi. The contract between the two companies allows BKV to have posters removed that it does not approve of.

László Károlyi, director of Peron Kft., said that it has contacted Multireklám Zrt., the company "subrenting" the boards. Multireklám will turn to the Self-Regulating Advertisement Body (Önszabályozó Reklámtestület) for an opinion.

In a similar incident in January 2006, 500 advertisements for the paper Budapesti Riport featuring a negative joke about Budapest Mayor Gábor Demszky were removed from BKV stations one week after they were put up.

• Email
• Save to My Caboodle