Europe News

Asselborn slams EU commission over Hungary inaction (Extra)

Dec 22, 2010, 15:49 GMT

Luxembourg - Luxembourg's foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, on Wednesday called on the European Commission to take a clear stance on a controversial new media law in Hungary. 'For the EU, this is a moment of truth. This has to do with a fundamental interest of the EU, namely the defence of human rights,' he told the German Press Agency dpa. 'I fully encourage the commission to take a stand,' he added. A commission spokesman said on Wednesday that the agency is 'evaluating the situation.' German Chancellor Angela Markel, on the other hand, issued a warning to Hungary over the tough new media control law, while the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe charged that it endangers media freedom and violates the organization's standards. 'Will the commission not react when an EU country is challenging press freedom?' Asselborn asked. 'If Europe is still to be somehow understood, then it has to be clear that when a member country violates human rights, somebody says 'this is not right.'' The law - passed just before Hungary assumes the rotating EU presidency on January 1 - gives a media control body filled with government loyalists the power to impose steep fines on outlets that do not respect its guidelines.

Europe News

Asselborn slams EU commission over Hungary inaction (Extra)

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