The dispute between the Hungarian government and RTL Klub, the country’s leading broadcaster, over a controversial ad tax has taken a new twist.
Speaking to Bloomberg Businessweek and quoted by BBJ, Dirk Gerkens, the chairman and CEO, said that he has decided to move his family out of the country after receiving threats of violence via email and through friends.
The tax came into effect last summer and Gerkens claims RTL Klub, which is owned by Bertlesmann, will pay 90% of the revenue raised by it despite only claiming a 15% share of the market.
RTL has previously said the tax is aimed at forcing it to leave the country. It has responded to it by taking the matter to the European Commission.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian government has insisted that every company, including RTL, should pay its fair share of the public burden.