匈牙利总理欧尔班说,如果欧盟提出要求,匈牙利将修改它的新媒体法。欧尔班星期四对欧盟的记者们表示,这个法类似于欧盟其他成员国的法律,这些成员国包括法国、德国和荷兰。欧盟委员会主席巴罗佐说,他星期五同欧尔班会晤时将要求匈牙利就有关的规定做出澄清。匈牙利1月1号成为欧盟轮值主席。

根据匈牙利的媒体法,匈牙利将成立一个新的机构来监督新闻报导是否“平衡”以及具有“人的尊严”。这个机构可以对违反规定的新闻机构处以高达11万8千美元的罚金,同时还可以迫使新闻记者批露被认为与国家安全有关的消息来源。 

Hungary’s prime minister says his country will modify its new media law if a request is made by the European Union. Victor Orban told reporters at the EU Thursday the law is comparable to laws in other EU members, including France, Germany and the Netherlands. The president of the European Union Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, says he will seek clarification from Hungary on the regulations when he meets with the Mr. Orban on Friday. Hungary took control of the rotating EU presidency on January 1. 

Hungary’s media law creates a new agency ((the National Media and Communications Authority)) to monitor news reports for “balance” and “human dignity.” The agency can impose fines of up to $118,000 against offending media outlets, as well as force journalists to reveal sources of material considered related to national security.