The Hungarian parliament has amended its heavily criticized media law - but only in part. Opponents of the corrections go far enough. Budapest - Reform of the Reform: After massive criticism from the European Union, the Hungarian Parliament approved on Monday evening changes to the controversial media law.
The law was amended in the disputed points of the EU, these mainly concern the foreign media provider, certain Internet services, and the order of the "balanced" reporting. Justice Minister Tibor Navracsics said that the law has not changed fundamentally. Hungary currently holds the EU presidency.
The EU Commission had requested clarification on several points and threatened with legal action and an action for breach of EU treaties. Hungary had finally announced a reform of the law that cuts heavily in the opinion of the critics of press freedom in Hungary. After the legislative changes are on-demand services on the Internet no longer journalistic "balance" required, but only the publicly available media.
Blogs and online diaries are no longer defined as media outlets and are therefore not within the scope of the law. Media companies no longer have to register before they take office at the Media Authority can, but only 60 days after the start of their activities. Foreign suppliers of media products that are distributed in Hungary have to fear for infringements of media law imposed no more, but "other legal consequences," wrote the agency MTI.
Not spared from the potential fines remain Hungarian media providers, with their seat "moved solely in another EU country to avoid the Hungarian media law", it said further. In agreement with the EU Parliament stressed the current requirement that the "insult" of persons or groups was forbidden.
Prohibited, however, remains the "hate campaign" against individuals, nations, and against ethnic or religious groups. Opponents of the law goes so far but not enough: expert groups had criticized the EU has important provisions in the law, freedom of the press threatened not challenge.
So changes in the composition of the Media Council, for example, are not provided. The committee is busy with confidant of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. There are no European rules to take action against the occupation of the Panel, EU spokesman Jonathan Todd had already told in advance.
In the vote in Parliament in the European Commissioner Neelie Kroes was present as a guest. Kroes welcomed the changes that are due to a "dialogue" between Budapest and Brussels concluded. The Hungarian government is clear that Brussels would monitor the application of the law "with continued attention," said Kroes.
The law was amended in the disputed points of the EU, these mainly concern the foreign media provider, certain Internet services, and the order of the "balanced" reporting. Justice Minister Tibor Navracsics said that the law has not changed fundamentally. Hungary currently holds the EU presidency.
The EU Commission had requested clarification on several points and threatened with legal action and an action for breach of EU treaties. Hungary had finally announced a reform of the law that cuts heavily in the opinion of the critics of press freedom in Hungary. After the legislative changes are on-demand services on the Internet no longer journalistic "balance" required, but only the publicly available media.
Blogs and online diaries are no longer defined as media outlets and are therefore not within the scope of the law. Media companies no longer have to register before they take office at the Media Authority can, but only 60 days after the start of their activities. Foreign suppliers of media products that are distributed in Hungary have to fear for infringements of media law imposed no more, but "other legal consequences," wrote the agency MTI.
Not spared from the potential fines remain Hungarian media providers, with their seat "moved solely in another EU country to avoid the Hungarian media law", it said further. In agreement with the EU Parliament stressed the current requirement that the "insult" of persons or groups was forbidden.
Prohibited, however, remains the "hate campaign" against individuals, nations, and against ethnic or religious groups. Opponents of the law goes so far but not enough: expert groups had criticized the EU has important provisions in the law, freedom of the press threatened not challenge.
So changes in the composition of the Media Council, for example, are not provided. The committee is busy with confidant of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. There are no European rules to take action against the occupation of the Panel, EU spokesman Jonathan Todd had already told in advance.
In the vote in Parliament in the European Commissioner Neelie Kroes was present as a guest. Kroes welcomed the changes that are due to a "dialogue" between Budapest and Brussels concluded. The Hungarian government is clear that Brussels would monitor the application of the law "with continued attention," said Kroes.
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