Hungary to leave controversial media law’s core intact

Hungary has drafted a new version of its media law after criticism from the European Commission. Most of the controversial sections will remain unchanged. The government says that the amendments won’t change the legislation much. They will only make the law “more precise,” while preventing “Hungary from losing its prestige,” said Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarian state secretary in charge of communication. The Hungarian parliament could approve the changes within two weeks, Mr. Kovacs said. The Fidesz party, after winning last year’s general election in a landslide, introduced a new media law Jan. 1 to address what it saw as imbalanced and sensationalist media content. Critics have said the legislation may be used to gag the press while decisions will be made by the ruling party’s loyal appointees to the Media Council, which is to oversee the industry. The new media law drew criticism from the European Commission and brought protesters to the street. (pictured)