(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI letter to Hungarian Minister of Chancellery Istvan Stumpf asking for a meeting to discuss the growing trend of government interference in the media: **New cases and updates to IFEX alerts of 18 June and 4 June 1999** Mr. Istvan Stumpf Minister of Chancellery Government of Hungary Budapest, Hungary […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI letter to Hungarian Minister of
Chancellery Istvan Stumpf asking for a meeting to discuss the growing trend
of government interference in the media:
**New cases and updates to IFEX alerts of 18 June and 4 June 1999**
Mr. Istvan Stumpf
Minister of Chancellery
Government of Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Vienna, 6 July 1999
By fax: 361 – 2684798
Dear Minister,
The members of the International Press Institute – the global network of
editors and publishers dedicated to freedom of the press – are deeply
concerned about the growing trend of government interference in the media in
Hungary. The latest incident occurred on June 29 when the editor and several
members of staff of a news programme on MTV1 were removed from their
positions in connection with a story the programme ran indicating that 10
members of the FIDESZ ruling party had received preferential rates from the
Postabank financial concern.
This incident is just one of many worrying issues in Hungary that have
recently come to IPI’s attention:
A draft Press Law is being prepared, our sources indicate, which will oblige
media outlets to publish a right of reply to anyone who feels harmed, even
if the article in question is entirely accurate. IPI considers that this
would place undue restrictions on the media and will certainly serve to
stifle the public debate. This new draft law follows similar initiatives
last year from Béla Pokol of the Independent Small Holders’ Party. In the
face of sharp criticism from several sources, including IPI, Mr. Pokol
withdrew his proposal. With regard to any legislation concerning the media,
we urge your government to consult with IPI and other relevant organisations
before developing any laws which may have the potential to stifle freedom of
expression.
The Broadcasting Act requires the Parliament to nominate a governing
curatorium to the state-funded MTV, which should contain equal
representation from the governing and opposition parties. At present only
government parties are represented. The Constitutional Court recently ruled
that the current situation was legally acceptable even though it appears to
be in direct breach of the law.
Lászlo Juszt, editor of Kriminális magazine and host of the television
programme of the same name which is broadcast on MTV, faces possible charges
of disclosing state secrets. The charges stem from an article Juszt
published quoting documents which indicated that the Prime Minister’s claims
that the former government were involved in illegal electronic surveillance
of the FIDESZ party were unfounded. The police confiscated his equipment,
effectively closing down Juszt’s magazine, and his contract with MTV was
terminated. It is IPI’s view that there was a clear public interest served
in publishing the article and that the document could not legitimately be
described as an official secret. The arrest appears to indicate an official
desire to prevent or penalise the publication of information embarrassing to
your government.
The offices of Szép Házak (Beautiful Houses), a family concern, were
searched by police some months ago following claims from an anonymous caller
alleging that the owners of the magazine were plotting against the Prime
Minister.
The FIDESZ government appears to be holding on tightly to its media holding
which is operated through the Postabank, despite early promises to sell
media interests on grounds of conflict of interest. The recent decision to
deny the Ringier Group the publishing rights to Szabad Föld. is a case in
point. Members of the government, including Prime Minister Orban, have
spoken of a most worrying policy which should bring about a so-called
“media-equilibrium”, which seeks to tilt the balance of political news
coverage in favour of the ruling party. One apparent consequence of this
policy was the recent sacking of Jozsef Martin and Janos Avar, two respected
editors of Magyar Nemzet, owned by the Postbank. No official justification
was given for the dismissal but observers believe it is because their
liberal approach clashed with the official ideology.
Individually, any of these incidents would provide legitimate grounds for
concern to advocates of a free and unfettered media. Taken together it is
strengthening the argument of some media observers who claim that your
government has embarked on a campaign to tighten its control over the flow
of information and to curtail the independent media. IPI is greatly alarmed
by these developments and would welcome the opportunity to hear your
government’s perspectives on the above points. We take this opportunity to
request that you meet with an official IPI delegation at your earliest
convenience to discuss these urgent matters in detail.
I thank you for your attention and eagerly await your prompt response.
Yours sincerely,
Johann P. Fritz
Director
Appeals To
Mr. Istvan Stumpf
Minister of Chancellery
Government of Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Fax: +361 2684798
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
