About: Hungarian media law
Merkel urges Hungary’s Orbán to respect opposition
During a visit to Budapest, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to take a more open approach towards political opposition and civil society. But the move was not enough according to observers, who accused Merkel of cronyism with a “mafia state”. EURACTIV Germany reports.Hungary and the European Rule of Law
Recent development in Hungary questions the country's commitment to the bold statement Hungary and the other countries that joined the EU in 2004 made, argue Erlend M. Leonhardsen and Dag Sørlie Lund.
Barroso quiet as Hungary talks stagger
A meeting between European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, aimed at bridging differences over Hungary's controversial state reforms, ended up inconclusively yesterday (24 January). Meanwhile, finance ministers opened the way for sanctions to be imposed on Budapest over its deficit.
US diplomat: Hungary could lose its EU membership
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is “abusing” his power and eroding democracy, which may lead to the country losing its EU membership, former US Ambassador Mark Palmer told a Hungarian daily newspaper today (2 January).
The press in Europe: Freedom and pluralism at risk
The European Union has long been hailed as one of the areas of the world with the greatest press freedom. However, NGOs and international organisations warn that this may be under threat as the media becomes increasingly concentrated in ever fewer hands and some governments engage in politically-motivated lawsuits and outright censorship.
Hungarian EU Presidency slithers through last debate
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appeared before the European Parliament yesterday (5 July) in a debriefing exercise with MEPs after the end of the Hungarian EU Presidency. He was commended by political allies for his steering of the EU, but was also strongly criticised by many others for his handling of domestic affairs.
Intellectuals ask US to defend democracy in Hungary
A group of Hungarian intellectuals have called on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to speak out against what they called their country's "autocratic system" during her visit to Budapest this week.
Media experts urge ‘reconquest’ on press freedom
MEPs and prominent professionals in the media world warned yesterday (3 March) that press freedom had deteriorated badly in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, but also Italy and France, and called on the EU institutions to spearhead a wide-ranging "reconquest" of basic rights across the European Union.
Philosopher sparks Hungarian clash in European Parliament
The centre-right Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán is "criminalising 20 years of democratic transition in the country," a prominent Hungarian philosopher told the European Parliament yesterday (1 March). MEPs close to the Orbán government denounced the speaker as "a liar".
Journalists voice concerns over abusive phone tapping
The controversy surrounding the Hungarian media law has triggered heated comments in EU circles, but few have bothered to look at the situation in other countries. EURACTIV's network takes up the challenge with this second article focusing on Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
Hungarian media law triggers EU debate on press freedom
The controversy surrounding the Hungarian media law has triggered heated comments in EU circles, but few bothered to look at the situation in other countries. EURACTIV's network takes up the challenge with this first article focusing on the EU's two largest members, France and Germany.
Brussels happy with Hungary’s pledges on media law
The European Commission welcomed yesterday (16 February) the amendments that Hungary has pledged to make to its controversial media law, seeking to draw to a close an episode that has poisoned the beginning of the Hungarian EU Presidency. EURACTIV Hungary contributed to this article.
Hungary told to amend three elements of media law
The stand-off between the European Commission and rotating EU presidency holder Hungary this week entered an appeasement phase, after Budapest indicated it was ready to make changes to its controversial media law. Brussels said it wanted three elements of the text modifying.
Hungarian PM receives frosty reception in Strasbourg
Members of the European Parliament gave a frosty reception to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán yesterday (19 January) in Strasbourg, where he came to deliver the traditional presentation of his country's EU presidency programme.