Viktor Orbán's government broke EU law when it took the license of a critical radio station, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled
Klubradio station PHOTO: Bela Szandelszky / AP / Profimedia
The station Klubradio, critical of the Hungarian government, was forced to move online in 2021 after the authorities in Budapest refused to renew its license, Reuters and the Hungarian website Telex write.
The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday that Hungary broke EU law when it decided not to renew the license of independent radio station Klubradio.
Klubradio was forced to cease broadcasting in February 2021, after 19 years of operation, when Hungary's media authority did not renew its license, citing a series of regulatory violations.
Since then, Klubradio only works online. His guests on political and debate shows often criticize government policies.
At the time, Klubradio journalists and critics of Orbán accused the government of censoring independent media. The European Commission joined these criticisms, while demonstrations of support for journalists took place in Budapest.
What the EU Court of Justice decided
In July 2022, the European Commission decided to sue Hungary for its refusal to renew the radio station's license.
Specifically, the European Commission launched an infringement procedure, and the procedure eventually reached the Court of Justice of the EU.
On Thursday, the panel accepted most of the Commission's objections. According to the decision, the decision to invalidate the auction was disproportionate, as was the automatic exclusion of the renewal of the rights to use the frequencies.
The Hungarian authorities also violated the freedom of expression and information enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Court found.
The Hungarian authorities must now comply with the ruling. Otherwise, another trial will take place, which will concern the amount of the fine applied to the government.
Press freedom in decline in Hungary
The Hungarian prime minister has been accused of transforming the country's media landscape during his more than 15 years in power. The state press came under full government control, and several private institutions were closed or taken over by patrons close to the government.
Last year, a media group, 50 percent owned by a pro-government company, bought a portfolio that includes Hungary's main tabloid just months before key elections scheduled for April.
The EU and pro-democracy groups have long accused Orbán's government of restricting press freedom and other freedoms, charges he denies.
In 2025, Hungary ranked 68th in the World Press Freedom Index, down from 23rd in 2010, when Orbán first became prime minister.
