Blog

Hungarian lawmakers pass disputed Constitutional amendments

March 12, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

Hungarian lawmakers on Monday passed a package of controversial amendments to the country's Constitution that opponents say weakens democratic checks and balances and violates the rule of law. The Fourth Amendment puts into law numerous measures that were introduced by the center-right Government and later annulled as unconstitutional by Hungary's Supreme Court. The amendment, which contains more than 20 articles, includes a provision that could restrict commercial media from running political-campaign advertising during elections that was struck down by the top court in January for violating freedom of expression. The amendment has also reinstated previously overturned laws restricting the powers of the country's Constitutional Court and the independence of the judiciary. 

Read more

Media Council warns national TV station for describing Jobbik as 'far right' party

March 9, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

Hungary's Media Council has issued a warning to national private broadcaster ATV for describing Jobbik as a "far-right" party in a November newscast. Jobbik is Hungary's third-largest party and espouses a far-right nationalist platform. ATV was reporting on a demonstration against a Jobbik MP who called for making lists of Jews in Hungary because he said they pose risks to national security. The Media Council will issue a fine to the private broadcaster if it continues to describe Jobbik as "far right," according to reports. 

Read more

Vodaphone deal -

March 8, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

The Hungarian Government would pay up to EUR 200 million to by Vodaphone Hungary, according to a report HVG.

Read more

Pro-government newspaper editor rallies

March 8, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

Protesters besiege Fidesz HQ in protest against “fourth amendment” Several dozen young people protesting against the planned fourth amendment to the Basic Law broke into the garden of Fidesz headquarters on Thursday afternoon. Some of the 50-60 mostly young univer- sity students climbed over the fence and at- tempted to enter the office building, but were stopped by security guards. Fidesz said they broke windows and damaged a door at the Lendvay utca building, causing Ft 500,000 worth of damage.

Read more

Court rules Media Council's Klubrádió tender decision unlawful

March 7, 2013
Hungarian Media Monitor
Blog

Opposition radio station Klubrádió has won another court victory against Hungary’s media regulator when a Budapest court ruled on March 5 that the Media Council’s decision invalidating the station’s tender application was unlawful. The decision is one of a series of successful court verdicts for Klubrádió, in what has become a lengthy battle by the station to keep its 95.3 MHz frequency. In the latest decision, the court ruled the Media Council’s failure to complete the tender procedure could be unconstitutional, according to the Associated Press.

Read more