Such addressed the board for almost six hours, after which members voted 19 to 9 to appoint him, board president Gábor Kis Gellért said. However, another hour of debate followed the vote because the ?yes? on one of the ballots supporting Such?s appointment had been crossed out rather than circled, as would have been appropriate. The member submitting the ballot insisted ?yes? was indeed the intended response and the board voted to accept the decision in the end.
?I would like to restore the prestige of public radio and would like public radio to become a point of orientation in the Hungarian media market, operating profitably and serving as an example to all participants on Hungary?s public media market, showing that quality reporting and profitable operation?are not irreconcilable,? Such said after the vote.
Such, whose four-year mandate starts on August 1, said he would hold talks on filling top positions at the broadcaster in the coming weeks, but declined to offer further details. He did note, however, that staff cuts would be necessary.
A solution must also be found for Magyar Rádió?s lack of a business plan for 2006, and a decision must be made on whether to move from the broadcaster?s current headquarters. Speaking about the latter issue, Such said both financial and technical aspects would have to be taken into account when making the decision.
