Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Hungary Defiant as EU MPs Protest Media Law

   VOA News  19 January 2011
   The  President  of  Hungary  Pal  Schmitt speaks during a Forum Europa
   breakfast conference in Madrid, 14 Jan 2011

Photo: AP

   The  President  of  Hungary  Pal  Schmitt speaks during a Forum Europa
   breakfast conference in Madrid, 14 Jan 2011

   Hungary's  prime  minister  says  he  is  ready to fight what he calls
   efforts  to  meddle  in  his  nation's  domestic  affairs  â  European
   criticism of Hungary's controversial media law.
   Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who assumed the rotating EU presidency on
   January  1,  was  addressing  the  European  parliament  in Strasbourg
   Wednesday.
   As  he  began  to speak, some EU legislators covered their mouths with
   gags  and  held protest banners denouncing "censorship." Opponents say
   Hungary's media regulations say stifle press freedom.
   Hungary's  new  media  law,  in  effect since January 1, created a new
   agency the National Media and Communications Authority to monitor news
   reports for "balance" and "human dignity."
   The agency can impose hefty fines against offending media outlets, and
   force  journalists  to  reveal  sources  in reporting considered to be
   related to national security.
   Mr.  Orban  warned  EU  parliament  members  not  to confuse Hungary's
   domestic  policies  with  its leadership role in the European alliance
   this  year. He said Hungary would resist unfair criticism, and if such
   a  controversy erupted it would be detrimental not just to Hungary but
   to the EU as a whole.
   Mr.  Orban  has  said  he would be willing to change the law if the EU
   presents  convincing  evidence  that  the  law  does  not adhere to EU
   principles.

.