Panel Discussion: “Hungary: Freedom of the Press under Pressure?”

Utl.: 14 November, 19:30, APA =

Wien (OTS) - Hungary recently attracted international attention when
the major newspaper “Népszabadság,” which was left leaning and
critical of the government, was shut down without prior notice. Since
then, the paper has been sold to a businessman associated with
Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán. This incident triggered a
far-reaching public debate on the media and freedom of the press in
Hungary.

Critics accuse Victor Orbán and his ruling party Fidesz of bringing
the Hungarian media structurally under their control and of turning
them into their mouthpiece. The owners of many private media outlets
are related to the government.

Moreover, the government exerts significant influence on both private
and public media through a Media Authority, which can impose
penalties or withdraw licences if media outlets violate governmental
guidelines.

We are pleased to discuss the general situation of the Hungarian
media sector and the uncertain future of the newspaper Népszabadság
with the following panellists:

- Erhard BUSEK, Chairman of the Institute for the Danube and Central
Europe (IDM) and former Austrian Vice-Chancellor,
- Dalma DOJCSÁK, Head of Freedom of Speech Program, Hungarian Civil
Liberties Union,
- Márton GERGELY, Suspended Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Népszabadság,
- Zoltán KOVÀCS, Government spokesperson, Prime Minister´s Office.

The discussion will be moderated by Alexander Warzilek, Austrian
Press Council.

Panel Discussion: “Hungary: Freedom of the Press under Pressure?”  

 Language: English  
 
 We request registration via anmeldung@presserat.at
 
 A cooperation event between Austrian Press Council, Presseclub
 Concordia and APA.

 Datum:   14.11.2016, um 19:30 Uhr
 Ort:     APA – Austria Presse Agentur
          Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien

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