OPEN LETTER - Media freedom in Hungary and the case of Hir TV
To
Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President, European CommissionMariya Gabriel, Commissioner, European CommissionTibor Navracsics, Commissioner, European CommissionAntonio Tajani, President, European Parliament
The undersigned media freedom organisations are writing to draw your attention to the deteriorating situation of press and media freedom in Hungary, in particular the recent case of Hir TV.
Hir TV was the last domestically-owned independent TV company in Hungary. On 1 August 2018 a sudden change in ownership resulted in dismissals of outspoken leading journalists and an abrupt change of editorial policy. Programmes that had previously reflected independent views were cancelled and replaced with government-friendly programmes. One cancelled talk show was replaced with a broadcast of…