"Mr Orbán could do himself a world of good if he, like my ministerial interlocutor, were to admit that the media law had been a mistake and, even better, pledge to review it with the involvement of non-Fidesz appointees."

He would have to turn against us - his voters then. We are certainly very much against the involvement of appointees (actually they are elected by the Parliament and not appointed) by the post-communists or the neo-fascists (the two major opposition parties). We voted for Mr Orban to get rid of those people and keep them as far away from any level of political power as possible. If Orban ever decided not to do so - I'm confident he won't - he would have to face his supporters (including myself and practically everyone I know) passing their sympathies to someone who is willing to.

Actually the Hungarian government made a mistake with this Law as the communication was really weak.
This was similar to the action with the private pension funds: there was a completely unnecessary attack against whom who wants to stay within the system. Hungarians have general disdain against banks, so majority would have chosen the state system anyway, especially if the government would have offered some candy (i.e. promise on future payment) for those who choose the full state pension.

Regarding the media law, I still do not see the real purposes unless to be 100% sure to control it (out of the internet, which is non-controllable, but only the small part of the population reads it). The media was supporting Mr. Orban anyway before. This fear may arise from a misconcept of Fidesz that the earlier elections were lost on the negative media and press support. But even left wing press was praising Mr. Orban when he won the elections. So completely unnecessary driven by some fictional personal ghosts.

It is a pity indeed that Hungary's democracy has been questioned with no substance for the claims.

"post-communists or the neo-fascists (the two major opposition parties)." - Haha, what country do you live in? Because I'm sure it's not Hungary.

"post-communists or the neo-fascists (the two major opposition parties)." - Haha, what country do you live in? Because I'm sure it's not Hungary."

Post-communists are the MSZP - de jure and de facto successors of the state-party of the Soviet-collaborant puppet regime. Neo-fascists are the Jobbik - allies of BNP"s Nick Griffin, Austrian FPO, Italy’s Fiamma Tricolore, the Belgian National Front and the Swedish National Democrats as well as Le Pen's French National Front.

Apart from Fidesz-KDNP the only democratic party in the legislature is tiny green-liberal LMP. They are sharply critical of the cabinet but they are undoubtedly democratic - very much unlike the two major opposition parties.

Dezko you forgot to take your pills today.

"The only goal of Magyar policy 2011 is "renewal" of never existing "great-Magyarorszag""

Man, you really need some medication.

"But even left wing press was praising Mr. Orban when he won the elections."

Huh? Can you please give us a single example of that? Left wing press has been demoninzing Orban for two decades, and is doing that now full throttle too.

In the defence of FIDESZ.

The argument of the "failure of the communication" is the common mark of the political elite in Hungary, especially of the two (once) great parties: FIDESZ and MSZP.

Both tend to think if one of them lost popularity it`s because they failed to communicate their thoughts, it is because the other side has more influence in the media. I heard voices in the MSZP which called a strong communication form similar to the FIDESZ itself (which in my opinion is about populism).

It seems some of the political elite, including of some political scientist, thought the "average voter" are beyond any personal mind capacity and own thoughts, it is just an empty shell to accept the "message". There is no aim anymore to explain any policy in depth, for example our own VAT system has been changed, but one could hardly find any real public debate on the effect from professionals (unlike here in UK).

http://www.fidesz.hu/index.php?Cikk=157388

It is a very interesting page from the FIDESZ own homepage.

Basically they share the claim of one of the journalist of Magyar Nemzet (with their act to copy paste in their official page): all of the domestic criticism are aiming to destroy Hungary itself, to split the country into two parts. Obviously these criticism must be shared by the liberal/left-ish elite who, in their theory, have plenty of contact across Europe and they are responsible the attention and foreign criticism as well.

It does seem to me the government plays different games to the EU and to the Hungarians (and they do not accept the media law itself and they way how they pushed through the parliament might be wrong and enough for any criticism and attention).

Dear Econo Guy and Dear Pista35
I think, that you both are mistaken. Not me, but Magyar politicians and Magyar policy need some medication. Magyar politicians and Magyar politics don't know, what good neighbour policy entails. Magyar politicians cannot solve domestic problems, so they must incite Magyar neighbours. Magyar policy lives in its self-deceptions for 93 years. Magyar politicians could wake up and begin to do more down-to-earth policy. It would realise more happy days for Magyars from now.

@Dezko XVIII. vzdelany: I agree! It is so easy to call for enemies when there is some economical/political difficulties. It creates a false union against the "common" enemy of the state be it internal or external.

The above link (in my last post) is an example how they called for an internal enemy.

@Karasukafka

Don't be ridiculous, the link you gave is a direct quotation of the article in the press review section, not a comment or declaration of agreement.

And yes,"the liberal/left-ish elite who, in their theory, have plenty of contact across Europe and they are responsible the attention and foreign criticism as well", that is actually true, just look at the signatories of the recent open letter calling for EU snactions against Hungary. Familiar names, aren't they? Practically the full leadership of the Alliance of Free Democrats, a pseudo-liberal mafia drowm into their corruption affairs and shown the way out of the legislature by voters. What do they do know? Tour the West and cry about the loss of democracy. However, it was simply an absolutely democratic loss of their seats and positions ...

@Pista35:

Thank you to strengthen my theory of the accusation and seeking of enemies to ignore the problems in the media law and around the political structure: how the recent government accepts laws and runs open debates before any changes.

@Dezko

I don't know where you get your information from but what you claim is a complete nonsense. The restoration of Greater Hungary - even if some on the far right fancy to daydream about it - is absolutely not on the agenda of any political groups with the slightest influence on our government. Hungary is keen on maintaining and developing good neighbourly relations with the countries around us. Our cabinet is busy organizing the North-South gas pipeline connection from Croatia through Hungary and Slovakia to Poland, we are enthusiastic protagonists of Croatia joining the EU and Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen Area, we are promoters of the Visegrad Initiative - generally doing our best to promote regional cooperation.

Even at times when it turns to be rather difficult:

remember the former Slovakian government featuring a coalition party whose chairman publically envisioned a panzer-attack against our capital (well, he was indeed very drunk), called our historical first king a "mounted clown" and stated that "Hungarians are tumors of cancer on the body of the Slovakian nation and shall be extirpated". Remember, this guy, Jan Slota was the second most popular politician in Slovakia and a leader of a party on government.

A link to a Hungarian article reporting this Economist post (Index is a leading online news portal)

http://index.hu/belfold/2011/01/08/az_economist_szerint_jo_ha_merik_krit...

Quote "... the paper [The Economist] reckons that Fellegi [the minister] should not worry about his frankness. Firstly, since top ranked Fidesz members in private background discussions regularly criticize the government for its anti-democratic moves. Secondly ..."

Am I the only one who missed this anti-democratic stuff in the English text?!

@Paavo Nurmi: The new media law?

@Karakuskafka

You're welcome, however I still don't get what exactly your theory was?

that the remnants of the fallen regime do seek to defame our country?
- proven

that they cannot get over the fact that voters showed them the door?
- proven

that the current government is not at all interested in their dishonest whining and false accusations?
- proven

that these electoral rejects are not at all limited in their efforts to spit their lies, fake accusations and defamatory remarks on our country, people or government in any communication channels of their choice?
- proven

@Paavo Nurmi

And are you really surprised? Lies on Index? Oh, who would ever expect that? :D

@Pista35:

Frankly I care very little how the old elite fell apart and I hope the recent government will do the same after it clearly abused some of the basic play of democratic routes and the freedom of press with their media law.

Let's talk about the law. There are two cathegories of concern: how the law were born and what it contains.

1.) The Fidesz did not have anything in their manifesto about changing the media law (neither the part of changing the Constitution which is a very huge change indeed).

The media law is not a governmental initiative but individual MPs. Why? It is so bad that they can`t back it with any Office? Or they just thought to spare the necessary time of debates in the parliament and with the outside society - like the media itself and professional unions?

The President failed to send the media law to the Contitutional Court, despite there were clear concerns expressed from various parts both inside of Hungary`s border and outside. It was a huge mistake!

2) It is hard to call a law democratic where the main media regulator in the council/authority has the right to create regulations, and also she/he (now she but I care little for the person itself but the power of the title) has the right to investigate violations of laws, also she/he will have the right to initiate any fines and care the reports of the abuse of the law.

There are other issues obviously but even this single one would be enough to throw away the law as it is.