(IPI/IFEX) – According to information obtained by IPI, the Hungarian government is considering moves to force the Hungarian media – by law and under threat of sanctions – to publish rectification not only of facts but also of opinions published in the media – a development that deeply concerns IPI. IPI has been informed that […]
(IPI/IFEX) – According to information obtained by IPI, the Hungarian
government is considering moves to force the Hungarian media – by law and
under threat of sanctions – to publish rectification not only of facts but
also of opinions published in the media – a development that deeply concerns
IPI.
IPI has been informed that this initiative – proposed by Mr. Bela Pokol,
Deputy of the Small Holder’s Party and President of the Constitutional
Committee of the Hungarian Parliament – has now been put on the agenda of
the Constitutional Committee. The proposal requires a simple majority to
change the Code of Civil Procedure.
The Association of Hungarian Journalists (MOUSZ) has declared that, if
carried, this new legislation “would be unconstitutional, a brutal attack
against freedom of opinion, and also a starting point of a process of
intimidation of the media.” IPI fully endorses these sentiments.
IPI would agree with the US Supreme Court on this issue when it ruled as
unconstitutional laws that require a right of reply. The Supreme Court
decision was on the basis that media would refrain from publishing
controversial stories if they were obliged to then publish all other views.
However, if a right of reply system is to exist, it should ideally be part
of the industry’s self-regulated system, and in any case can only feasibly
apply to matters of fact. To broaden the issue to ‘opinion, criticism and
judgment’ as has been suggested in Hungary, would place an unreasonable
restriction on journalists to publish views of any individual or
organisation that felt in some way wronged.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
take root in Hungary
from freely expressing views and opinions
Appeals To
H. E. Victor Orban
Prime Minister of Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Fax: +361 2684740
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
