September 13th, 2012

OSCE media freedom representative warns on Hungarian news agency’s lawsuit against journalist

Excerpt Via osce.org 

Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, today warned that the lawsuit initiated by the official Hungarian News Agency against journalist György Balavany can constrain media pluralism in the Internet.

“I am concerned that the Hungarian News Agency filed a lawsuit against the journalist simply because he published critical blogs,” Mijatović said. “Freedom of expression is an essential element of any democracy, and it is not limited to statements acceptable to all.”

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  • MagyarViking

    So, here we go…
    All that all these foreign meddlers claimed would happen starts to happen now

    In Hungary it is not OK to criticise the Fidesz Media Council, but it is OK to claim that Roma has a gene for ‘gypsycrime’

  • OSCE

    June 20, 2012

    We also noted with concern the media law in Hungary, which could subject the Hungarian media to an unacceptable level of control by a politicized Media Authority and Media Council lacking proper checks and balances. We are concerned that the sum of the new media provisions, while couched as technical matters, will have the overall effects of inducing journalistic self-censorship and marginalizing opposition media outlets through onerous fees and regulations. We strongly encourage the Hungarian government to work with your office, as it appears to be doing, to ensure that these new laws align with Hungary’s OSCE commitments.

  • Anonymous

    “Operation Dump Orbán” part 2

  • Paul

    Viktor on the road to Belarus…Hold on Viktor..You will get there.

  • Leto مؤدّب

    Oh, it’s the end of media freedom in Hungary still and yet again! :D :D

    -http://hvg.hu/itthon/20120912_EBESZ_a_Balavany_elleni_sajtopernek_derme

    The Hungarian News Agency (MTI) filed a libel lawsuit against Mr. Balavány simply because he wrote (about MTI) “a közmédia ma azt jelenti, kisfiam, hogy a pénzükből hazudnak nekünk” (“today public service media means simply they lie to us from our own money”) and “public service media should/could be sued for dezinformation at the Media Council”. BTW, he must have been confused a bit since, according to the postcommie propaganda, the Media Council also belongs to Orbán’s propaganda machine :D
    He also wrote “az MTI, ahogy szokott, arcátlanul hazudik” (“MTI, as usual, lies blatantly”).

    According to the szadeszcretin’s buddy (Dunja Mijatović) this lawsuit can have a chilling effect on media freedom. In my opinion it can have a chilling effect on Mr. Balavány’s wallet. :)

    Ceterum censeo MSZP delendum est.

    • MagyarViking

      How can it be libel to claim that ‘MTI lie to us from our own money’?

      What is the libel:
      * The lying part?
      * The money part?

      Since when can you in an healthy Democracy not accuse Public Institutions of lying?
      You can accuse the PM of lying, so why not the MTI?
      MTI is State-owned media under political control, as MTV (Hungarian State TV) and MR (Hungarian State Radio)

      This is a political debate, that now the State Controlled Media outlet that supply Hungarian and International Media with news about Hungary, takes a political stand to crush an critic of the PimpMaster Whorban

      So, when can I be charged for libel or crime for calling PimpMaster Whorban a PimpMaster Whorban?

      • MagyarViking

        To learn from The Great Leto, I will now try to remember to end my posts with

        ‘* The Fidesz-controlled Hungarian State News Agency MTI lies to us using tax payers money*’
        and we will see how long it takes for the Fidesz Media Council to charge Erik with a 10 MHUF libel claim

        * The Fidesz-controlled Hungarian State News Agency MTI lies to us using tax payers money*

  • Paul

    7 comments on such an important issue….incredible.
    So HALlO any one around?
    “Lawsuit against Hungarian journalist can have chilling effect on Internet freedom, warns OSCE media freedom representative.”

    INTERNET FREEDOM….freedom of speech!!!
    Keeping my fingers crossed for you Eric.

    • Leto مؤدّب

      It seems it’s becoming harder and harder to make noise about this “media freedom in Hungary is in danger” BS. :D

      Ceterum censeo MSZP delendum est.

  • Walacky

    I simply could not figure out what mad my last few days so full of anxiety and fear – Now I understand that I live under the clear and present danger of dictatorship and oppression, which I clearly missed. It is time therefore that I thank OSCE for making me believe them, rather than what I see.

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