Hungary: independent voice faces closure
KlubRadio, the country’s last remaining liberal radio station, is in danger of losing its licence. Charlie Holt reports
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Hungary’s leading daily newspaper challenges media law
Hungary’s largest circulation daily newspaper, Nepszabadsag, is challenging the controversial new media law in the country’s Constitutional Court. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief has brought complaints about 16 areas of the law which, the paper alleges, limit press freedom and freedom of opinion. The new regulations, introduced on 21 December 2010, allow the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) to impose substantial fines on TV and radio stations. Freedom House has described the legislation as a “major setback for press freedom in Hungary“.
Hungary’s new law a threat to democracy
Judit Bayer says Hungary’s new media law is a serious attack on press freedom
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Hungary: New media watchdog “threatens” press freedom
The Hungarian parliament has passed a new law creating a media watchdog with powers to restrict and punish private news agencies. The new body has the power to impose sanctions upon media outlets if it decides that their coverage is unbalanced or breaches the rules on coverage of sex, violence and alcohol. The Hungarian parliament is dominated by the centre right ruling party Fidesz, which will also act as the majority in the media watchdog. Hungary is set to take EU presidency on 1 January 2011.