Some criticisms of Hungary’s media bill are politically motivated, while others are based on errors and are therefore completely unjustified, the chairman of Parliament’s cultural and press committee said Tuesday.
László L. Simon of Fidesz said the vast majority of the criticisms published in western newspapers, and “appearing to be professional” are objecting to a situation that does not prevail in Hungary.
He remarked that international criticisms echo accusations made by the Socialist Party and that the “eruption of the European circus” is linked to the Socialist foreign minister of Luxembourg who “did not speak by chance”.
Meanwhile, Fidesz caucus leader János Lázár accused the Socialist Party of misleading the “international left-wing general public,” and of attempting to discredit Hungary with concocted explanations in a difficult economic situation.
Speaking on TV2, Lázár said the cabinet attempted to take into account all views when drafting the media bill and will do so in the future, as it is a bill that can be corrected.
Everything will depend on what practice the Media Council adopts, he said, adding that if it applies the act badly or if there are problems, then Parliament will amend the law by bowing to protests.
The cabinet does not wish to wage war with the Hungarian media, as the conservative side has always lost out in that in the past 20 years, he asserted.
