The new Hungarian media law which has created important controversy over the first weeks of Hungary's EU Presidency, was the object of a heated debate at the Civil Liberties and Culture Committees in Strasbourg on 17 January. While some MEPs urged for the immediate withdrawal of the law, some others defended the option to wait until the Commission releases the results of its legal assesment.

During the debate held by the Parliamentary Committee, Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, underlined that the European Commission is carefully assessing the compliance of Hungary's media law with the EU Audiovisual and Media Services (AVMS) Directive. This assessment seems to be already raising some issues regarding the new rules compliance with EU law, such as its apparent application to media firms established in other EU countries, the rules on media registration, unclear definitions and political control over the media authority.

Earlier this month, in the occasion of the formal meeting with primer minister Orbán, president Barroso reaffirmed the Commission's support of the principle of freedom of the press as a sacred principle in the European Union and media pluralism as a fundamental part of European society. Primer minister Orbán ensured that Hungary's government would comply with any conclusion or requirement coming from the Commission after law's assessment, a compromise which was renew before the Parliamentary Committees by Hungarian deputy prime minister and minister of justice Tibor Navracsics who defended the new law as intended to replace outdated provisions and implement the EU directive.

Debating over “balanced communication” requirement

Some MEPs raised the question about what does actually mean a “balanced communication”. While some members of the Committee defended the pluralism between the approaches and focuses adopted by different media, he minister defended the need for the balanced coverage requirement based on the influence held by media over public opinion. Some MEPs showed their particular concern about the obligation introduced by the law for journalists to reveal their sources in certain cases. It was also proposed to set up an EU media monitoring tool to assess the risk of media self-censorship as a result of a faulty law.

Some voices warned about an excessive governmental control over media, and some MEPs suggested that not only Hungary's law should be scrutinised but also the media laws of all 27 Member States. Commissioner Kroes that the Commission would not act against Hungary without acting on media rules in other countries, reaffirming EU's objectivity and and non-discriminatory position between Member States, governments or political families.

Commission also recalled the guarantee from the Hungarian government that it will listed to EU's conclusions and act accordingly.