Independence of the media and higher education in Hungary

Hungarian Media Laws in Europe
http://www.seemo.org/hungary/files/Hungarian_Media_Laws_in_Europe_final.pdf

and

Loss of Independence of the Hungarian Accreditation Committee (HAC) threatens international Recognition of Hungarian Degrees

http://www.mab.hu/doc/RECOMMENDATIONS_2011.doc

Letters from Turkey

My dear Aunt,

I do not have much time right now, ten minutes is the most I can cut from my lunch break.

I made the point in my letter yesterday that even if every single line of new Hungarian laws has precedent in the laws of various countries - the result is a unique combination and should be examined as a whole. You ask several questions, unfortunately this time you do the homework or get no answer for a while. I am busy.

You will find examples for clever combinations in the report released by the Center for Media and Communication Studies recently.

http://www.seemo.org/hungary/files/Hungarian_Media_Laws_in_Europe_final.pdf

Just read the Executive Summary.

“Media Authority independence.: in response to international concerns regarding the independence of Hungary’s new Media Authority, the Hungarian government cites EXAMPLES of media authorities from nine European and EU-member countries which it states are less independent from the government than in Hungary (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK). The Hungarian government cites EXAMPLES of the appointment procedures of members to the media regulatory bodies in these countries. ALTHOUGH IT IS ACCURATE that some or all members of these bodies are appointed by the government, in all nine cases the expert assessments indicate that the Hungarian government’s EXAMPLES INACCURATELY cite or OMIT key formal and informal elements of the appointment and/or regulatory systems which would provide a more complete assessment of the level of regulatory independence with which these bodies operate in practice. Experts also find that the media regulatory bodies cited do not have the equivalent regulatory scope as Hungary’s Media Authority. For instance, unlike in Hungary, in all nine examples given, the media authority referenced is responsible for regulating broadcasting and audiovisual media but has no content-related authority over all media sectors, including both the print and online press. Furthermore, in all nine cases, the media regulatory body cited is not the sole—or in some cases even the most powerful—media authority in that country. in six of the nine examples, the Hungarian government cites an incorrect or former regulatory body and/or an inaccurate or outdated appointment procedure or law. “

This is but a single paragraph of the exhausting report. I cannot judge how accurate the analysis might be, but the European Union definitely will, because this issue is high on their agenda.

The second document

LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE HAC THREATENS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF HUNGARIAN DEGREES

http://www.mab.hu/doc/RECOMMENDATIONS_2011.doc

might help you to see clearly in your other question. The International Advisory Board of the Hungarian Accreditation Agency – so not only I - states that in those European countries where the minister is involved in the nomination of members there are safeguards to guarantee the independence of the accreditation board. So again, the low does not have to explicitly state that the Council is independent, and it is OK for the minister to delegate members, however, all these together risk the loss of independence of the Council. Ironically, the Advisory Board released this statement after studying the draft of the law, and the act was passed by the Parliament without any changes.

Now I get back to work.

Yours, as ever