Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro payed an official visit to Hungary from 15 to 16 November 2022, during which she met with several government officials including Minister for Culture and Innovation János Csák, State Secretary for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Justice János Bóka, State Secretary for Security Policy and Political Director of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Bunford Zsol, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior Bence Rétvári, State Secretary for International Communications and Relations of the Prime Minister’s Office Zoltán Kovács, as well as with Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Parliament László Pósán. The Representative also met with President András Koltay of the media regulator State Office of Media and Communications and with Director Dániel Papp of the Media Services and Support Trust Fund. During her visit, she had discussions with several journalists and representatives of civil society.

VIENNA, 23 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about provisions of the coronavirus response draft bill in Hungary that could negatively impact the work of the media reporting on the pandemic.

VIENNA, 7 May 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed concern over the denial of accreditation to journalists, which prevents them from reporting from the inaugural meeting of Hungary’s new parliament on 8 May...

VIENNA, 13 April 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today strongly condemned the publication of a list of more than 200 people by a Hungarian media outlet which claimed that over 2,000 people, including those listed by name, are allegedly working to “topple the government”...

VIENNA, 9 March 2018 – “Journalistic work should never be criminalized,” OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said today in reaction to the conviction of Hungarian journalist Gergely Nyilas, who reported about migration.

VIENNA, 17 September 2015 – Hungarian law enforcement authorities must stop threatening and obstructing the work of journalists reporting on the refugee crisis, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...

PODGORICA, 6 July 2015 – Draft amendments to the Freedom of Information Act of Hungary raise concerns about access to public information and should be consulted with all stakeholders before adoption, Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said today...

VIENNA, 29 May 2014 – Imposing unconditional and direct responsibilities on Internet content providers can stifle free debate on issues of public interest in Hungary, warned the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović today...

BELGRADE, 6 November 2013 – Increased prison sentences for defamatory video or sound recordings are another potential threat to freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Hungary, Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative...

VIENNA, 12 September 2012 – Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, today warned that the lawsuit initiated by the official Hungarian News Agency against journalist György Balavany can constrain media pluralism on the Internet...