Brussels, 10/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - A plenary session debate will, indeed, be held in Strasbourg next week (16 February) on the new Hungarian media law. This will be followed the next day with the adoption of a resolution. That was what the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament (EP) decided on Thursday 10 February. This initiative, supported principally by the Greens/EFA, S&D and ALDE Groups, came through the conference of the Presidents despite the opposition of the EPP Group. According to a source, the EPP was “not against a debate or a resolution”, but would have preferred to wait until next month, so that discussions currently taking place between the European Commission and the Hungarian authorities can run their course, since, the source continued, “Hungary has said it wouldn't change its law”.
On Monday 7 February, at a meeting between the staff of Neelie Kroes, who has responsibility for the media, and Hungarian experts, Hungary promised to put to the Commission possible amendments to a text which many consider to be an attack on freedom of expression. (The amendments were received by the Commission on Thursday afternoon.) The problem for some political groups, especially the Greens, is that the Commission has so far asked only questions that refer to the transposition of the audiovisual services directive, a source says, and has been far too cautious on highly sensitive points, such as compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the principle of freedom of expression.
For the Greens, there is a severe risk that, through statements and expert meetings, the Commission will ultimately fall into line with the Hungarian government's position, avoiding the basic issues and speedily settling a problem that has become an embarrassment for the young Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. The Greens would also like all the criticism and recommendations framed with regard to this new law, in particular those from the Council of Europe human rights commissioner and the OSCE, to be included in the resolution. The Greens want, by means of this resolution, to call on the Hungarian government to suspend the law and to ask the Commission to bring forward legislation on the freedom of the media in the EU before the end of the year.
These calls will only be successful “if the other political groups support them”, a source states. At the moment, while “the Greens' position is quite strong, other groups are proposing slightly looser texts”, for example on withdrawal of the Hungarian law. There will have to be some serious negotiation, then, between now and next week to secure a sufficiently strong compromise resolution. The EPP will also be lobbying and is hoping to get a final text which meets its demands. (S.P./transl.rt)