(Image Source: Daily Mail)

BY MADISON MACK

You're watching multisource tech news analysis from Newsy

The same day Hungary’s new Media Act became law, Hungary’s two main daily newspapers announced in their headlines – ‘The freedom of press in Hungary has come to and end.’ (Video: Daily Mail)

The law, which establishes the new National Media and Communications Authority to oversee all public news production in Hungary, has met with widespread criticism from both the Hungarian press and members of the international press. Al Jazeera explains the new law.

“The new law means that broadcasters and publishers could be sanctioned for failing to reveal their sources in national security cases, for not being politically impartial and most controversially, for offending public morals. A rule which critics say could open the door for political interference in the media. And the penalty is a fine of almost one million dollars. Worst of all, the law is ambiguous.”

And on France 24, a media law expert explains the range of the watchdog’s new powers.

“The newly created media authority will receive an exceptionally wide power and it will be able to control all kinds of media outlets. Not only the electronic media like TV and radio stations, but also the printed press and the Internet.”

One Washington Post opinion writer gives the account of a Hungarian journalist, just after the new law took effect.

“… A friend, now suspended from his job at Hungarian national radio for opposing the media law, says the chilly atmosphere at a recent editorial meeting was ‘like the [Stalinist] ‘50s’ - except, of course, that it was funny, not scary, and no one was tortured afterward.”

Hungary has rejected all criticism, contending the regulations comply with European Union standards. In a statement, the Public Administration and Justice Ministry said the media opposition lacks in-depth knowledge of the law’s specifics.  

“Instead of formulating specific criticisms, they are a collection of unfounded, at times outright absurd accusations. The Hungarian government remains committed to freedom of the press, and in no way wishes to stifle the opposition's views.” (Article: Daily Mail)

But the editor-in-chief of Nepszabadsag, Hungary’s largest newspaper, is skeptical. He says government control over both the public and the private media is unacceptable.

“…regulation of broadcast, print and internet content along the same lines is impossible and is in contradiction with EU regulation … Hungary has been a free and democratic country during the last 20 years and we don't intend to let it slip back to something entirely different on our watch.” (The Guardian)

Leaders from Germany, France, and Belgium have publicly criticized the law, which is currently under review by the European Commission.
 

Get more multisource video news analysis from Newsy

Transcript by Newsy