Hungary's media authority stripped of power

Hungary's National Radio and Television Board (ORTT) can no longer sanction media channels that air illegal or immoral material, according to a recent decision by the Constitution Court (Ab). Television channels are surprised by the decision.

The ORTT can no longer impose fines on channels or punish them by ordering them off the air for a certain period of time. It can only terminate its contract with terrestrial TV channels and has even less authority over satellite channels with which it does not have a contract.

The decision surprised TV channels, in part because a decade has passed since the Ab received related submissions. Most such submissions were written in 1997 when media law created the ORTT. The organization signed broadcasting contracts with terrestrial TV and radio stations and controlled their operations as an authority. This double role concerned both the media and members of the organization, so they turned to the Ab.

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