Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 26, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 26, 2026
The EU’s top court found Hungary violated EU law by refusing to renew independent broadcaster Klubradio’s license, pushing it off air in 2021. The decision spotlights media freedom and regulatory concerns.
BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that Hungary violated EU law by not renewing the licence of independent broadcaster Klubradio.
Klubradio was forced off the air in February 2021 after broadcasting for 19 years when Hungary's media authority did not renew its licence due to what it called a string of regulatory offences by the station.
Since then, Klubradio has been operating only online. Its political and talk show guests often criticise government policies.
A Hungarian government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In July 2022, the European Commission decided to sue Hungary over its refusal to renew Klubradio's licence in another clash over values that risks damaging EU cohesion.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has transformed the country's media landscape during more than 15 years of nationalist rule. State media has come under full government control and several private outlets have either been shut or taken over by government-friendly owners during Orban's years in power.
Last year a media group, which is 50% owned by a pro-government business, bought a portfolio including Hungary's main tabloid newspaper only months before a key election scheduled for April where Orban is fighting to stay in power.
The EU and pro-democracy groups have long accused Orban's government of curbing media and other freedoms, which it denies.
In 2025, Hungary ranked 68th on the World Press Freedom Index, down from 23rd in 2010 when Orban first became prime minister.
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Anita Komuves; Editing by Inti Landauro and Kate Mayberry)
The EU’s top court ruled that Hungary violated EU law by refusing to renew the broadcasting license of independent radio station Klubradio.
Hungary’s media authority cited regulatory offences and did not renew the license, forcing the station off FM airwaves in February 2021; it now broadcasts online.
It highlights rule-of-law and regulatory risk within an EU member state, factors that can influence investor sentiment, media/telecom regulation, and broader market stability.
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