Today the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ),
the European group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
supported the massive protest which took place on Sunday in Budapest as part of
ongoing campaign waged by journalists and civil society groups for media
pluralism in Hungary.
"When media and journalists are put in a difficult
situation, it is essential that journalists are supported by civil society
groups. We are happy that demonstrations in Hungary also saw the need for free
and democratic information" said EFJ President Arne König.
This year's commemoration of the anti- soviet uprising
in Hungary held on 23 October was marked by a rally at which nearly one hundred
thousand people demonstrated against Hungarian government's policies in
Budapest under the banner "You don't like the system?"
Some fifty thousand symbolic "press cards" were given
away to the demonstrators to make them raise their voice and to underline the
importance of a free press for a democratic society. Demonstrators also
denounced the current policies that chip away at social and working conditions,
including for journalists and media workers as was observed by an EFJ mission
to the country on 4 October.
The rally was organised by the "One Million for the Freedom of Press" Facebook
group and other civil organisations.
The EFJ calls on the EU leaders, including the EU Commission President, Mr.
Jose Manuel Barroso, the EU Commissioners and MEPs with responsibility for good
governance to heed this call, to revise their so far timid position and adopt
an unequivocal stand regarding press freedom in Hungary. The Federation also reiterates
its call for the creation of a proper and independent media freedom monitoring
body by the European Union.
The EFJ stresses
that press freedom and media pluralism are explicitly included in the European
Charter of Fundamental Rights but accused the European Union of failing to take
any pro-active step to enforce them or agree to sanctions against countries that do not
respect them.
An international mission of professional organisations and civil society groups will go to Hungary on 14-16
November to assess the situation and make specific recommendations.
The EFJ represents more
than 260.000 members in over 30 countries
For more
information, please contact EFJ on + 32 2 235 22 00
