[FoME] online resource: controversial new Hungarian media laws

[Christoph Dietz]

>>> Kate Coyer 12.01.11 19.57 Uhr >>> 

Dear OurMedia friends and contacts of the Center for Media and Communication Studies (CMCS) at Central European University, 

A succession of new Hungarian laws that has reshaped the legislative framework and regulation of communications and the media in Hungary, passed over the last five months, has drawn international attention, much of it critical, and is a cause of serious concern.

It was the legislation passed in late December 2010, however, which has in particular stirred an international political and media storm. The wide array of new regulations on the press, broadcast media and Hungarian Internet sites it encompasses will have a significant impact on journalism and media programming in the country. 

In light of the international interest and concerns related to the legislative and regulatory changes, the CMCS has compiled an online resource for researchers, students and other interested parties.

Information resources: New media laws in Hungary: http://cmcs.ceu.hu/node/297/ 

Here, you will find links to: 

* The texts of the laws and English translations thereof 
* Hungarian government responses to international criticism 
* Remarks on the laws by the European Commission, statements by groups in the European Parliament, and responses by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media 
* A wide range of statements and press releases by international and Hungarian media and human rights NGOs 
* Open letters and petitions, including one authored by Vaclav Havel, Arpad Goncz and other former dissidents 
* A selection of editorials and opinion pieces, pro and contra the legislation, in the English-language press 
* An extensive listing of news reports about the legislation from the last five months 

A brief introduction to the information resource, with some remarks about the sequence of events, can be found in this news item: http://cmcs.ceu.hu/news/controversial-new-hungarian-media- legislation-cmcs-info-resource 

If you know of any resources that you feel are still missing in this overview, just send a URL our way! 

Kind regards, 

The Center for Media and Communication Studies (CMCS) 

For more information, contact: 

Kate Coyer (coyerc AT ceu.hu) 
Eva Bognar (bognare AT ceu.hu) 
Joost van Beek (van-beekj AT ceu.hu) 

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The Center for Media and Communication Studies (CMCS) 

The CMCS is a research center of the Central European University in Budapest dedicated to 
advancing media and communication scholarship and policy throughout the region and beyond. 
The CMCS produces scholarly and practice-oriented research addressing academic, policy and 
civil society needs. CMCS research and activities address media and communication policy and the 
democratic potential of the media, civil society and participation, fundamental communication and 
informational rights, and the complexities of media and communication in transition. 

Tel: (36-1) 327-3000 2607 
E-mail: cmcs at ceu.hu 
Website: cmcs.ceu.hu