BRATISLAVA, January 13, (SITA) — The largest local journalistic organization, the Slovak Syndicate of Journalists (SSN), has expressed its concern over the disputed Hungarian media law. The syndicate finds the fines for vaguely defined “unbalanced news coverage” to be unacceptable interference of the political power in the work of media. The syndicate also finds some formulations of the law resembling efforts to create not ethical but ethnic journalism to be equally dangerous. “Attempts to manipulate media or their control are not new in this region. Silence about the media law cannot become part of the agreement on a truce within specific Slovak-Hungarian relations,” stated the syndicate. The syndicate also forwarded an invitation of Hungarian counterparts to sympathizers of freedom of press, journalists, and everyone who opposes to the law to gather in front of the building of the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest. A civil protest demanding a cancellation of the law will take place there on Friday afternoon.
SSN stated that Slovakia and Hungary share the same democratic values and therefore “reminds that it is an obligation of all democratically-minded journalists, politicians, and citizens to offer help and assistance to Hungarian media and join European institutions exerting pressure on the Hungarian government.” Slovak journalists associated in the syndicate also expressed support and solidarity to their Hungarian counterparts.
The Slovak arm of the International Press Institute (IPI) supports Hungarian media in their effort to preserve the freedom of the press as it is guaranteed by international treaties. Head of IPI’s board of trustees Pavol Mudry said that the organization supports the protest rally in Hungary under the slogan “We want a media law that guarantees the freedom of speech and press!“. Mudry interpreted the organization’s stance for the media on Thursday claiming that IPI members were prepared to help their Hungarian counterparts by dissemination of detailed information on their stances and activities and if the Hungarian party was interested they were ready to seek ways to mutual cooperation.
“Fast adoption of the new media legislation without broader public discussion arouses serious concerns. The freedom of speech should be guaranteed and all legislative initiatives that may threaten it should be eliminated,“ concluded Mudry.
The disputed media law took effect in Hungary on January 1. On its basis, new National Media and Communication Office was established, staffed mostly by members of the ruling party Fidesz of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The office controls all print, electronic and Internet media. Violators of this quite ambiguous law can be fined up to EUR 200 million (EUR 727,000), which can lead to liquidation of some media. The authority can also force reporters to disclose sources of their information in cases concerning national security.
SITA