Orbán Wants to Silence the Hungarian Free Press and Civil Society

Orbán wants to silence the Hungarian free press and civil society

A hundred editors-in-chief and publishers from across Europe have signed the following statement, calling on the European Union to take action over a law promoted by Viktor Orbán’s national-conservative government that – if passed – might “effectively outlawing the free press”.

Hundreds of civil society organizations are demanding immediate action from the European Commission regarding the Fidesz bill that threatens and hinders citizens and the press.

1. European Editors-in-Chief Appeal on Hungarian Media Law (zeit.de) 92 editors-in-chief from 21 countries have issued a joint statement criticizing a planned Hungarian media law. This law, which is scheduled to be passed in mid-June, is aimed at foreign-supported media and civil society organizations. The signatories call on the EU and its member states to take decisive action against this attack on press freedom. 2. Doubt about doubt (taz.de)

They are asking the EC to initiate an interim measure at the Court of Justice of the EU to prevent the implementation of the bill.