The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today welcomed a symbolic and significant victory for independent media in Hungary. A court in Budapest in the last instance ruled in favour of a community radio, Klubrádió, which brought the case for a licence to broadcast in the city.

"We are relieved that at last Klubrádió will have its radio frequency, as ruled several times by the court”, said EFJ President Arne König. “We welcome the fact that justice took an independent decision and we now call on the Media Council to act immediately by creating the legal and administrative environment for the services of Klubrádió”.

Klubrádió is an independent community radio that won the bid in 2012 to operate a frequency in Budapest, but the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) refused to sign the broadcasting contract, which led to the litigation.

In recent  months,  three court decisions confirmed that Klubrádió has the legal right to its 95,3 frequency but the national Media Council has so far failed to comply with the court's decisions and refused to conclude a lawful contract with Klubrádió to allow the station’s broadcast on the frequency. Indeed, the National Media Authority, appointed by the Prime Minister and following its own political agenda, considered that it was not bound by the Court's decision. Today a fourth and last court case ruled that the Nation Media Council has to accept the original bid of Klubrádió for its frequency.

Last Sunday, a mass demonstration took place and a petition was handed over to the Media Council with several thousands of signatures supporting Klubrádió and demanding the implementation of the court’s ruling.

“With upcoming elections in 2014, it is vital for the public to have access to an independent radio channel in order to be informed properly,” added König.

The EFJ is the European group of the International Federation of Journalists and it represents over 300,000 journalists in 37 countries.