Compared with 2012’s monitor of 3,659 items in 40 media outlets in seven countries, this year’s analysis covered 6,800 articles and 57 online and print items in 12 countries, Zsolt Antal, the head of Nézőpont’s media monitoring section, said. About 5-6% of articles had a positive content in both years, whereas the proportion of articles reflecting negatively on the country dropped to 33% from 43%.

The proportion of articles with a neutral content increased, he added. Most articles were published in Germany, while the fewest, and the most negative (64%) in Italy, focussing mainly on the far right, Antal said.

The most positive articles appeared in the Polish media, praising the introduction of religious classes in primary schools and government measures to help troubled forex loan holders, he said.

Ferenc Kumin, the deputy state secretary in charge of foreign press relations, confirmed the survey’s conclusion that international media attention was most intensive towards Hungary in March, focusing on the fourth amendment to the constitution.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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