Hungary
Additional parts of media law passed, others droppedPosted Nov 17 2010
IPI reports that the Hungarian parliament passed the second part of a controversial media reform law on Nov. 2. The law was submitted in June, and the first part was passed in July.
According to the law, journalists can only keep their sources as confidential if there is “exceptional justification,” such as to maintain public order or national security. If the information contains state secrets or is obtained illegally, the sources must be named.
IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills said: “An essential pillar of investigative journalism is the confidentiality of sources. Jeopardizing this will hamper the flow of information to journalists and will deprive citizens of their right to know about matters that may constitute an irritation to a government but lie squarely in the public interest.”
However, Hungarian news agency MTI gave an opposite take on the same provision, saying that it “protects press freedom” by giving journalists the right to keep their sources as confidential unless the information is illegal. It also adds that journalists will not be held responsible for obtaining public data illegally.
On a more positive note, the Budapest Times reports that the parliament has dropped the provision that makes it mandatory for all media outlets, including blogs and private websites, to be registered with authorities. The part that would have given subjects right of reply was also modified to the right to respond only to factual errors.
The provision that would have required every media outlet to report on “all important events of the country” has also been dropped.
On Oct. 14, the parliament approved the appointment of members of a “media council,” which was created in the first part of the reform package. Reports say that this council does not include any opposition party members.