Under the bill, which was submitted by Fidesz MPs Andras Cser-Palkovics, Menczer and Antal Rogan, legal violations would be punishable with fines imposed by the Media Authority, run by former Fidesz media politician Annamaria Szalai. The Authority could impose fines of up to Ft 25 million on dailies, Ft 10 on weeklies and websites and Ft 200 million on radio and television stations.

According to the proposal, television channels could be forced to stop transmitting for up to a week if they violate media regulations. Similar measures could be imposed on websites.

Media guidelines must serve the interests and guarantee the freedom of the bodies that practise it while defending the interests of the people: the question for the modern media is how to create the necessary “balance between public interests and conflicting private interests”, Menczer said.

On another matter she said it is vital to introduce a new “six and over” age category.

Based on EU guidelines more than half of programming time should broadcast European content. At least 25% of music broadcast by radio stations must be Hungarian.

The act on the freedom of press and the fundamental regulations of media content passed on November 9 states that the “task of media providers is to provide authentic, fast and accurate information on matters of local, national and European public life as well as on events of significance for the citizens and members of the Hungarian nation.

“The press must respect human dignity, and media content must not capable of fomenting hatred against national, ethnic or religious communities, or offending or excluding them,” it continues."

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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