From Secret Service to Public Service

Budapest, 3 November 2006 – "Hungary and the Hungarian people need an independent public service broadcaster. MTV can be that broadcaster,"Zoltan Rudi, President of MTV said today at a conference entitled, "From Secret Service to Public Service"*. 

In outlining his vision for the future of MTV he said: "I can see our channels as credible, trustworthy and unbiased sources of information, providing a public service. I can see us as politically independent which means financially independent; and that means the reestablishment of the licence fee."

The European Commission and the European Broadcasting Union supported Mr Rudi's call for action, and encouraged the Hungarian government to recognize the need for independent public service broadcasting and ensure the conditions necessary for its proper functioning in Hungary: 

1. Sufficient and stable financing
2. The freedom (for MTV) to become an independent broadcaster for the digital age
3. Suitable premises   

Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for the Information Society & Media, stressed the crucial role of public service broadcasters in a vibrant and pluralistic media landscape. She said, "public service broadcasters must be independent of politics; secure funding is vital in ensuring this independence. Warm words of support are not enough, public service broadcasters must be given the means to fulfil their remit."   She added that  a stable licence fee contributes to strong and independent public service broadcasting. In Hungaryshe would like to see, now and in the future, "a public service broadcaster that provides a balance of fair information, television for the people and not for the government or a party, whoever it may be, and high quality content, programmes and films." 

Fritz Pleitgen, President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), welcomed the Commissioner's support for European public service broadcasting and her support for a change in the situation in Hungary. He reminded the conference that, "Public service broadcasting must be independent of any vested interest. It must be provided with sufficient funding to carry out its mission; providing competent and attractive coverage of information, culture, education and entertainment, including sport."

He assured the conference that the EBU is committed to helping all its Members, and at this time MTV in particular, to reach the common goal of public service broadcasters, to be a source of media pluralism, cultural diversity and social cohesion. The EBU offers its Members concrete support in reaching this goal.

Dr Ildiko Sarkady, from the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office recognized that practical decisions are needed immediately, to replace ad hoc financing by accountable and proportionate funding, adjusted to suit the tasks of the public service broadcaster. 

Contacts:

MTV, Katalin Holub, Spokeswoman 
+36 209 226 431

EBU, Avril Mahon-Roberts, Head of Communications
+41 79 404 381

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* The conference was organised jointly by the EBU and MTV, with the support of Central European Universityand Antenna Hungaria, to raise awareness about the importance of public service broadcasting in a democratic society.  
 

amr / ep