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Media Authority President's death raises questions over successor

April 15, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

The death of Annamária Szalai, who served as President of the Media Authority and Chairperson of the Media Council, is fueling speculation over who will be named to fill the post as Hungary’s top media regulator. The outcome also puts to test whether the newly modified appointment procedures brokered by the Council of Europe will achieve the intended aim of ensuring the Media Authority’s independence.

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Cartoon wars: Hungary and Germany trade jabs

April 5, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

A battle of words and wit between German TV and Hungarian officials and journalists continued this week over recent cartoons aired on German state TV calling the Hungarian Government undemocratic and saying it controls the media.

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Ringier ups capital of Hungary’s top left-wing daily

March 29, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

Swiss multinational Ringier is giving a capital boost of HUF 750 million (roughly EUR 2.5 million) to the left-wing newspaper Népszabadság, Hungary’s top news daily, which is currently operating at a loss, HVG reports. Ringier’s decision comes after its failed deal to sell its majority shares of Népszabadság to the Szabad Sajtó Foundation, which is run by the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP). According to HVG, Ringier was trying to sell its shares of the paper so the Media Council would approve its merger with German media conglomerate Axel Springer. The Media Council blocked the merger last year, and according to HVG, it was rumored that the the Council informally agreed to clear the merger if Ringier sold its holdings of Népszabadság.

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The EC asks for public input on possible new EU-wide media regulations

March 24, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

The European Commission has opened public consultations for citizens and groups to comment on whether to adopt new EU-wide media  regulations, including a measure addressing the independence of media regulatory bodies. The announcement comes as policy makers and civil society groups call for stronger EU-wide regulations on media independence and pluralism in order to ensure that common democratic standards are being met at the national and pan-EU levels.

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Media Council put in charge of selecting winner of state's top journalism award

March 22, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

In order to avoid repeating mistakes made during this year's nomination for the recipient of the state’s top journalism prize, the Media Council will be responsible for selecting the winner of the Táncsics Prize in the future, according to a March 21 statement by Human Resources Minister Zoltán Balog. The announcement followed a week of controversy and protest over Balog’s March 14 decision to award the state's top journalism prize to far-right TV presenter Ferenc Szaniszló. Under mounting domestic and international criticism, Balog asked the journalist to return the prize.

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