Muiznieks and his delegation gauged media freedom, the fight against intolerance and discrimination and the rights of asylum seekers during a visit to the country in July, when they held discussions with state authorities, and national and international NGOs.

The report notes law changes to bring Hungary’s media legislation in line with European norms but raised concern that, in practice, some existing provisions had a chilling effect on journalistic freedom. “[The] Media Council is not seen as independent from political influence and control. The Commissioner calls on the authorities to review the appointment procedure for media regulatory bodies.”

Muiznieks also expressed concern about increasing threats to media pluralism. He said measures such as the tax on advertising revenues and restrictions on political advertising as “further attempts to curb media freedom in the country”.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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