William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-01-01 / 1. szám
Magyar Matters The Hungarian government began 2011 defending it's controversial new media act, which has been harshly criticized by Hungarian and international media, foreign governments, the European Union and human rights organizations. The new law creates the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) which controls private television and radio broadcasters, newspapers and online news sites. Under the law, the government can fine broadcasters more than $900,000, and newspapers and news websites about $116,000, if their coverage is deemed unbalanced, "offensive to human dignity" or against the "public interest, public morals or order" by the media authority, whose five members all belong to the ruling Fidesz party. Widespread Criticism. Criticism of the new law has been widespread and fierce. Hungary's leading newspaper, Népszabadság, announced in a frontpage headline: "The freedom of the press in Hungary has come to an end." The headline was printed in all 23 official languages of the EU. The International Press Association (IPA) warned the law "provides for the far reaching political control of media content." It said the new law can force journalists to reveal their sources in cases related to national security and that all media must now register before they can operate, with the possibility of licenses being suspended or withdrawn if the media authority believes they have breached the law. Others have criticized the law's provisions as being too vague and thus open to abuse for political purposes. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, a current member of the European Parliament, bashed the law, saying, "the time of Pravda is over. This new law is unacceptable. Hungary must explain, and the [EU] Commission must act." The French government requested Hungary amend its media law, with a French spokesman saying the law changes "freedom of the press with deep effects." The controversy comes at the same time Hungary assumes the rotating presidency of the EU. Some have questioned whether Hungary's role as EU president should be limited and even whether it should take on the EU presidency at all. The German government opposed Hungary holding negotiations over media issues with Eastern partner countries during its EU presidency, citing the new media law as its reason. Orbán Goes on Offensive. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán struck back at such criticism, calling it "unnecessary and hasty interference" and accusing Germany and France of insulting his country just as it took on the EU presidency. "It's not up to the French or the Germans" to say whether the Hungarian law complies with EU regulations," Orbán said. "The EU should decide." "If the EU deems it necessary that the media law be altered, then we shall accept it," Orbán said. But, he added the new law will not be changed until other European countries do the same to their laws. "I cannot imagine that the EU says this or that passage of the Hungarian media act should be amended while the French, German or Danish media acts remain unchanged because they have the same passages." The European Commission had requested more information on the law to determine whether it complies with European Union law, and on Jan. 4 the Hungarian Justice Ministry sent the Commission an English translation of the act. However, Hungarian news portal Portfolio.hu reported the following day that the translation was not complete and that several crucial sections were missing. Orbán said he found the controversy amusing, but admitted it was a "bad start" for Hungary's EU presidency. "I did not write this script," he said. □ In Brief □ The Hungarian American Coalition recently announced the winners of the Dr. Elemér and Éva Kiss Scholarship Awards for the 2010-2011 academic year. The nine winners are:- Kinga Edit Fodor, a student at the Personality and Psychopathology Program of the Teachers College of Columbia University:- Dorottya Irén Győri, majoring in international business at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa.;- Dóra Halász, admitted at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., to study organizational leadership;- Zita Monori, a student at Sewanee: The University of the South;- Edith M. Petrovits, a student of the Master of Professional Studies-Real Estate Program at the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, Washington, D.C.;- Eszter Mirjam Donath, a graduate from the Journalism School of Columbia University and a student of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University;- Eszter Győri, a student at Sewanee: The University of the South, majoring in international and global studies;- Zsófia Schwéger, a student at Wellesley College, Mass.; and- Éva Tessza Udvarhelyi, a third-year doctoral student at the Environmental Psychology Doctoral Program of the City University of New York. □ The Hungarian American Athletic Club of New Brunswick, N.J., will be holding its annual Farsangi Bal and installation of 2011 officers on Saturday, Feb. 5, at its club on Somerset Street. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. followed by the installation of officers at 7:30 p.m. Disznótoros will be served at 8:00 p.m. followed by farsangi fánk and coffee. Music for dancing will be provided by Tivadar Papp and his Orchestra. Donation is $30 for adults and $ 15 for children ages 6 to 16. Proper attire is required. For reservations, call Edit Sztankovits at 732-735-0456, Tünde Szilagyi at 732-826-8025, Katalin Babici at 732-762-4003 or Jenő Mueller at 732- 828-9330. William Penn Life 0 January 2011 0 13 Hungary defends new media law as it assumes EU presidency
