Dirk Gerkens, the chief executive of Magyar RTL, has accused the Hungarian government of stifling media freedom and trying to expropriate the company through a controversial new ad tax.
Quoted by the Financial Times, Gerkens said: “We should not forget that we are the last, major, independent TV company.
“This [new tax] is an attempt at expropriation?.?.?.?either an attempt to buy us cheap, or kick us out of the market.”
He added : “I don’t want to discuss our legal strategies, but there are three law firms working on this case.”
Meanwhile, a government spokesman, responding to the criticism, said in a statement that the tax was not discriminatory and “does not influence the life of any newspaper or television channel and it does not in any way interfere with the value and principle of the freedom of the press”.
He also said the “equitable distribution of public burdens” was regarded as a fundamental principle duty applicable to all persons and businesses?.?.?.?in Hungary, according to their capacity and economic results”.
He continued: “It is disturbing that RTL Klub is using [media freedom] to camouflage its conflicting economic interests, and using their news editing practices and news programmes for openly political purposes”.
The new tax, which came into effect last month, will in Gerkens’ view cost RTL around HUF4.5 billion (€14.54 million) a year.
