The European Commission sent Hungary a formal notice letter on Thursday announcing its intention to launch infringement proceedings against the government in Budapest for failing to comply with several EU media laws.
Referring to the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Commission said Hungary “fails to comply with requirements relating to public service media,” adding that it, “does not comply with provisions relating to interference in the work of journalists and media outlets in Hungary, restricting their economic activities and editorial independence.”
A statement on the Commission’s website Said, “Hungarian law does not provide adequate protection of journalistic sources and confidential communications, nor effective judicial protection when these rights are violated.”
The lack of transparency regarding media ownership, market concentration and allocation of state advertising was also cited as problematic.
“Hungary is also in breach of certain requirements relating to national media regulatory authorities under the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive,” the Commission said.
what happens next?
Budapest has two months to respond and address the concerns raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory reply, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
Should this not be enough, the Commission could take the issue to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which could fine Budapest.
The European Media Freedom Act came into force in August with the aim of protecting a free, independent and diverse EU media landscape.
Orban’s hold on Hungarian media
Hungary is at odds with the EU on many issues. But one particular area of contention is longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s grip on the media.
Much of Hungary’s media market is consolidated in the hands of Orbán and his friends from his Fidesz party.
Orbán, who has been in power since 2010 and proudly touts his country’s rugged democracy, has used the media to his advantage during the elections, as he will in the coming weeks.
With Hungary set to hold national parliamentary elections in April, Orbán’s influence over the media will once again come into focus.
He and Fidesz face their biggest challenge yet as Peter Magyar and the center-right Tisza party have recently begun to take advantage of the growing fatigue with the government and its policies and have managed to gain leads in recent polling.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico