Na Terra dos Elfos

Websites Black-out as Drastic Internet Censorship is Introduced in Hungary

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A new media law in Hungary creates a powerful censorship authority without oversight and excessive powers under control of the governing party, which endangers the freedom of speech, the Internet and journalism as a whole. Citizens are called to black-out the Internet from the 5th January - when Hungary is taking over the EU presidency on the 6th January 2011.

Budapest, January 2nd 2011 - The new Hungarian media law entered into force on January the 1st 2011. This law enables the ruling party to gain control of the Internet through the creation of a powerful censorship authority. While destroying journalistic source protection the text also fails to distinguish between different types of media, mixing online platforms and traditional broadcasters and making them obey the same standards. The Hungarian ruling party deliberately avoided public consultation on the new media law. It is plain to see their will to control and censor the Internet while bypassing democracy and suppressing dissent, opposition and transparency.