Ask a Hungarian if he or she feels better inside the EU or without it. I think the chances are that the answer would shame Europe. And it is not the fault of Hungarians. They simply do not understand why they should be the target of outside attacks for reasons they just cannot fathom. Or just suspect that it is the two-thirds majority of the center-right Fidesz government that they elected in the spring of 2010, which bothers Europe.
Take the example of Klubradio, the radio station supposedly muzzled by the authorities. For years, it has been on the lips of Commissioner Neelie Kroes, responsible for the digital agenda, lashing out at the Hungarian government’s supposed abuse of its power.
If the topic came up in the EU, reporters from the most prestigious papers have never failed to show up. Journalists from the Budapest stations have been paraded in Brussels to demonstrate a living proof of the oppressed media in Hungary.
“Today the European Federation of Journalists expressed its outrage at the recent closure of the well-known radio station KlubrĂĄdiĂł, and calls on the Media Authority to apply international standards on pluralism and media freedom, and to take into consideration KlubrĂĄdiĂł’s unique position when allocating licenses.” This media release, dated December 22, 2011, was followed, the next day, by an article in The Wall Street Journal with the title “Hungary Hurts Press Freedom, Say Journalists Groups”. Its first sentence reads: “Public outcry and international criticism is becoming an everyday noise concerning Hungary”. Do you know how this “silenced” station fares now? It has been beaming its stuff without interruption and since recently, it is doing it for free of charge.
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