Independent MPs: New media foundation to create a “fake news factory”

Two independent MPs, Bernadett Szél and Szabolcs Szabó, have asked the Constitutional Court to annul a government decision granting “strategic national significance” status to the acquisition of Echo TV, Magyar Idők, New Wave Media and Opus Press by the Central European Press and Media Foundation.

Szabó told a press conference on Tuesday that once the top court annuls the government decision, the media authority NMHH will have to scrutinise the transaction. The authority will then have to oblige the foundation to sell off some of its assets, he added.

Szél said the decision only served to create a “fake news factory” and granting “strategic national significance” status to the acquisition was unconstitutional because it hindered the supply of diverse information for the public.

The request for a top court ruling has been supported by the opposition Socialists, Párbeszéd, Jobbik and LMP groups and independent MPs, she added.

Opposition Socialist lawmaker Ágnes Kunhalmi told the press conference that setting up the foundation has brought about a “huge and unprecedented” right-wing media dominance in Hungary.

Featured image: MTI

Source: MTI