The resolution condemning the Hungarian media law was passed with 316 against 264 votes with the abstention of 33 EP members. Before the vote, the European People's Party group, which includes the Hungarian governing party Fidesz, withdrew its own resolution criticising the attacks against Hungary's media law. The most important objections include the law being biased and not independent. The approved resolution urges a new review of the Hungarian media law and suggests that the European Commission should draft an EU directive protecting the freedom of the press and media pluralism. The resolution calls on the Hungarian government to amend its law again, taking into account recommendations of the European Parliament, the OSCE and the Council of Europe. It added that clauses inconsistent with "the wording or spirit" of European laws and agreements should be scrapped. It calls on the Hungarian authorities to "restore the independence of media governance" in Hungary and to put an end to the state's "interference in freedom of opinion".

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 May 2011 12:19