Questioning Hungary Press Freedom ‘Offensive’

  • 13 Oct 2016 9:00 AM
Questioning Hungary Press Freedom ‘Offensive’
Questioning the freedom of the press in Hungary on the 60th anniversary of the country’s anti-Soviet uprising of 1956 is offensive to the free Hungarian press and all Hungarians, the pro-government Civil Unity Forum (CÖF) and associated foundation CÖKA said, reacting to comments made recently by European Socialist group leader Gianni Pittella, who said that the suspension of left-leaning daily Népszabadsag’s publication had endangered the freedom of Hungary’s press.

In an open letter sent to Pittella in response to his remarks, CÖF-CÖKA chief László Csizmadia said he was “appalled” to read the group leader’s statement regarding the situation around Népszabadság.

Csizmadia added it was “regrettable” that Pittella had also chosen to take part in what he called “political hysteria-mongering”. In spite of the various politically driven campaigns, “Hungarian press freedom is alive and well”, he insisted.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

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