Hungarian Media Monitor

TV presenter Ferenc Szaniszló, who is known for espousing anti-Roma and anti-Semitic views during his broadcasts, has agreed to a government official’s request to return the state’s top journalism prize. On March 14, Hungary’s Human Resources Minister Zoltán Balog  awarded the prestigious Táncsics Prize to Szaniszló, a presenter on the pro-Government station Echo TV, sparking domestic and international outcry. Hours after announcing the award, Minister Balog acknowledged that his decision was a mistake and that he was unaware of the journalist’s past statements. The minister on Tuesday issued a letter to Szaniszló asking him to return the award, stating that Szaniszló’s views “run counter to the values espoused by myself and the government.”

The Media Council has named Klubrádió the winner of the 95.3 MHz frequency, following a lengthy legal battle with the opposition radio station. The Council’s decision comes after a series of successful court verdicts for the broadcaster, including a March 5 ruling by a Budapest court, which found that the Media Council’s decision to invalidate Klubrádió’s tender bid was unlawful and its failure to complete the tender procedure could be unconstitutional.