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Commission has doubts over Hungary’s media law

Hungary could face legal action if it does not address concerns.

The European Commission has “serious doubts” that Hungary’s controversial media law is compatible with EU rules, and the country has been warned that it could face legal action.

In a letter sent to the Hungarian government on Friday (21 January), Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner for the digital agenda, warned that if the authorities in Hungary “fail to satisfy” requests for information about the law by a deadline of 4 February, the Commission could launch infringement proceedings.

The letter said that the media law’s demand of ‘balanced coverage’ by all media outlets that operate in Hungary caused concern for the Commission. She said the rule could fall foul of EU law and discriminate against non-Hungarian media companies that operate in the country.

Kroes added that Commission officials “have doubts” about whether the ‘balanced coverage’ obligation complies with the right of freedom of expression and information set out in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. She said that imposing the obligation on all media “could constitute an unjustified restriction” to the charter.

The letter also raised concerns about the rules of origin and registration requirements imposed on media outlets under the new law.

A Commission spokesman acknowledged that the Commission was powerless to address another concern, the independence of Hungary’s Media Council, which regulates the country’s media sector. Kroes has in the past raised concerns about how members of the watchdog were appointed.

Hungarian officials in Budapest have said they aim to reply to the Commission before the 4 February deadline.