Friday, December 24, 2010

Hungarian PM rules out changes to controversial new media law despite international outcry

Hungary's prime minister is ruling out any changes to the country's contentious new media law despite an international outcry over press freedom. The law approved by parliament Tuesday and set to take effect Jan. 1 will greatly expand the state's power to monitor and penalize private news outlets. Media watchdogs and several European countries, including heavyweight Germany, have criticized it. Prime Minister Viktor Orban told private Hir TV television on Thursday that "we have no intention whatsoever" of changing the law. Hungary will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on Jan. 1.

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