Sunday, January 23, 2011

Controversial Media Law: EU Commission allocates Hungary Ultimatum

In the dispute over the Hungarian Media Act sets out the EU for - in a letter to the government in Budapest. It complains EU Commissioner Kroes restrictions of balanced reporting and registration requirements are too high. Hungary are threatening legal action. Hungary two weeks ago to match time, the controversial media law applicable to European law - or threatening consequences.

This was a representative of the European Commission announced on Friday. It says so in a letter, written by the competent EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes to the Hungarian government. Three points of the new law seeks to contest it as "inappropriate". This had resulted in a draft study. The letter criticized that control for foreign media was strictly limited the scope for balanced reporting and registration requirements are too high.

The European Commission had doubts as to whether the Hungarian law to implement European law properly. Hungarian Justice Minister Tibor Navracsics dismissed the complaints voiced so far back in part. Unlike Brussels, it represents, it does not agree, that would even video bloggers to register under the new law.

Unclear on the concept of "balance" of coverage that is provided by the law would eliminate Budapest. In Hungary, there already to give a legal opinion has been applied, to which he wanted to explain Brussels, Navracsics said on Friday on the edge of an informal meeting of EU justice ministers in Budapest.

As for the compatibility with EU law, assured the Minister that this was an "absolute point of detail". Navracsics reiterated that his country was ready to change the law - if the EU Commission finds real defects. The independence of the Media Council, a right-wing Fidesz party of the government-dominated committee, will examine the EU Commission.

The new authority should be allowed to occupy broadcasting companies, newspapers and magazines with heavy fines if their reports are deemed "politically balanced". Because of the media law in Hungary is in weeks of criticism. Especially France, Britain and Germany have expressed concerns that the new regulation will lead to self-censorship of the media.

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