Hungarians protest new media law

Hungarian protesters tape their mouths in protest against the new media law

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160222.html


Thousands of people in Hungary have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to the country's controversial new media law.

Hungarians are actively protesting in the second series of demonstrations in recent weeks against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's new media law.

According to the legislation, a new authority has the right to impose major fines on media outlets.

The legislation also has the right to require journalists to reveal their sources on national security issues.

The protests have been especially vehement among media and rights groups in Budapest.

Other European governments have criticized the legislation as well, claiming that it limits freedom of press.

After Orban's center-right Fidesz Party swept to victory in the April parliamentary elections, winning two-thirds of the vote, his government became powerful enough to easily change laws and even the Constitution.

As part of the reforms, the government set up a new watchdog to regulate media content and impose fines when rules are violated.

Hungary takes over EU presidency

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158241.html


Hungary has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union amid criticisms against Budapest over adoption of a new law, which is said to restrict freedom of press.

"A transformation of incredible speed and depth is happening throughout the world; Europe must be able to stand in a much stronger global competition than ever before," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday.

Most important of all, Hungary will oversee talks about EU budget for 2014-2020 amid the blocs' worsening debt crisis, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Parliament and countries such as Germany have criticized Budapest for enforcing a law, which they say, threatens the freedom of press in the country.

After Orban's center-right Fidesz Party swept victory in the parliamentary elections in April and won two-third of the votes, his government became powerful enough to easily change laws and even the Constitution.

As part of the reforms, the government set up a new watchdog to regulate media content and impose fines when rules are violated.

The body will have the right to inspect media equipment and documents and to force journalists to reveal sources on matters concerning national security.