Media law a ‘concern’ as Hungary heads EU

As Hungary prepares to take over the EU presidency, controversy rumbles on over Budapest’s contentious new media law, which came into force last Saturday.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has already called on the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban to clarify the new rules.

The legislation increases the state’s power to monitor and even penalise private news organisations, and several EU member states have voiced their concern.

Orban has stated that if the EU demands changes then changes will be made, but he believes the new laws are in line with France, Germany and the Netherlands and if Hungary must change then so must the others.

To watch the handover of the EU presidency, tune into euronews, which will be covering the event live at 1800 hours CET.

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