What Got Stuck in Arne Wessberg’s Craw?

Michael Hedges September 4, 2006

The always diplomatic Arne Wessberg – outgoing president of the always diplomatic European Broadcasting Union – left the stage with a sharply un-diplomatic blast at Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and public television channel MTV.
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Arne Wessberg

Wessberg addressed concerns about Hungarian public television broadcaster Magyar Televizio (MTV) in a recent letter to PM Gyurcsany and explained – bluntly – in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

He zeroed in on MTV – calling it “one of the worst” public television systems in Europe. Some were surprised; few were shocked.

Five years ago the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called Hungarian public broadcasting “weakened to the point of destruction because of political manipulation and willful neglect by the responsible authorities.”

Wessberg’s statement reflects mounting frustration within the complex of European public broadcasting and its supporters at the lack of progress among new Member States in conforming to public service “values.” Political independence and sustainable financing are the main points of contention. Several of the new Member States have been criticized for being slow in adopting the conventional wisdom, even though several old Member States are less than exemplary. Persuading local politicians to finance something they cannot control is, well, difficult.

MTV operates two national television channels financed by a mix of commercial advertising and government grants. Before 2002 a license fee on viewers augmented ad revenue. The Hungarian Parliament dropped the license fee, largely because folks just didn’t seem to want to pay. Most economists view radio and TV license fees as regressive taxes, falling unfairly on lower income groups. Public broadcasting supporters view license fees as necessary if, for no other reason, to keep PSB funding somewhat out of political control.

MTV has a loan payment due, HUF4 billion (€14 million), from a short-fall in ad revenues. Like other PSB in new Member States, MTV has attempted, with marginal success, to compete with private sector TV broadcasters for hit shows. And, too, MTV faces eviction from its current complex well before a HUF20 billion (€70 million) new complex is built.  

Duna TV – also State owned – attracts far less criticism. Its single channel is dominated by cultural programming for which, in 1999, UNESCO named it the best cultural television channel in the world. And, too, it seems to be operating within budget.

Proposals are on the table to merge Duna TV with MTV as well as drop completely the commercial advertising revenue stream for direct State support. Mention State aid and all of Brussels sits at attention. 

Officially, the Hungarian Parliament owns MTV. The Board of Trustees are all political appointees. The supervisory board includes members from non-governmental organizations, including trade unions.

In the case of Hungary, there is the appearance of outright resistance from Parliament in changing the media laws. Without consummating a new law, the Hungarian Parliament has debated for several years. The existing Radio and Television Act (1996) is seen as woefully inadequate. While the 1996 law opened Hungary to private broadcasting, ten years later all Hungarian broadcasters, public and private, are frustrated by inaction on significant revisions. For example, the current law does not mention digital broadcasting, effectively putting a hold on any digital television or radio licenses. 

Rudi was named MTV president by in March 2004. His predecessor, Imre Ragats, resigned amidst scandal, accused of buying a documentary series from his step-daughter at an inflated price. Rudi had been MTV’s head of news and current affairs since 2002, named by Ragats, when then news director Peter Csermely quit over political attacks. Job security for PSB directors in the new Member States is particularly tenuous.

Arne Wessberg’s term as EBU president expired August 31st. His distinguished career included general directorship of YLE, Finland’s respected public broadcaster. Fritz Pleitgen, Westdeutscher Rundfunk  (WDR) General Director, was elected EBU president for a two-year term.

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Violence Shuts Down Hungarian Public Television - September 19, 2006 0800 CET

Protesters entered the main building of Hungarian public television MTV about 0100 Budapest time Tuesday about three hours after moving from the Parliament building and turning violent

BBC reports looting of the building. Other sources report fires being set. MTV employees were evacuated after protesters entered the building.

By that time both MTV channels were broadcasting only test patterns, misinterpreted by many as a result of the protesters. MTV regularly closes its programs at 0125, after which a test pattern is shown.

After a brief delay this morning, MTV channels are broadcasting normally.

Why did protesters target MTV? ftm Media Sleuth in Hungary recalls an MTV station promotional announcement from several months ago. The tag line was "If you were a revolutionary, which TV station would you occupy?"