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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HUNGARY – PRESS RELEASE

27/01/2011

Amnesty International continues to protest against the Hungarian media law, and takes part as an organiser in the demonstration for media freedom in Hungary held on 27 January, at 6 pm, in front of the building of the Hungarian parliament.

Amnesty International Hungary already participated in the previous demonstration, on 14 January, where almost ten thousand people took part, proving the strength of the civil voices in Hungary.

However, the Hungarian government failed to respond to our requests, and we have not received any reply to the letters sent to the Hungarian embassies by other Amnesty International sections from around Europe. Furthermore, we have not seen any indications that the government would be taking actual steps towards amending the media law.

Therefore, once again, we urge our members, activists, supporters, and everyone who cares about media freedom and the freedom of expression to join us at the demonstration today.

This law risks hindering the work of media professionals, and could also negatively affect all of us by hampering the exercise of several human rights. It puts unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on the work of media, and thus on the freedom of expression as well. Amongst others the media law brings uniform regulation over the content of all forms of media (whether print, broadcast or web-based). Additionally, it provides opportunities for harsh fines to be imposed on the basis of vaguely defined notions, such as 'public interest', which is open to broad interpretation by a central regulatory body. This goes beyond the permissible restrictions that is prescribed by international human rights law.

Hungary is bound by various international and European treaties and covenants to respect and protect the freedom of expression, which is defined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights to include the “freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority”.

Hungary, whilst holding the presidency of the European Council, risks having to face an infringement procedure by the European Commission. However, there is much more at risk here, since the curtailment of media freedom can lead to the violation of other fundamental rights and freedoms.

We therefore urge the Hungarian government to take note of our concerns, and amend the legislations as soon as possible to bring them in line with human rights standards, including the right to freedom of expression.

Concurrently with the demonstrations in Hungary (held in 4 cities and in Budapest), Amnesty International sections from around the world (amongst others in the USA, the Netherlands, Moldavia and Slovakia) will send our letter of criticism to Hungarian embassies.

Amnesty International will also launch a web-action about the Hungarian media law, where we call on everyone to read our analysis and reaction to the laws, and to send a letter to the Hungarian Prime Minister urging him to amend the media laws. This web-action will appear soon on the international and the Hungarian website of Amnesty International.

See you at the demonstration!