Published: November 28 2023
The Hungarian Media Authority (NMHH) has raised concerns about the validity of international reports on media freedom in Hungary. The NMHH argues that these reports often use questionable methodologies, lack diverse perspectives, and fail to mention positive developments in the country's media landscape. In this article, we will explore the NMHH's claims and examine the implications for assessing media freedom in Hungary.
Questionable Methodologies and Limited Interviews
The NMHH contends that many international reports on media freedom in Hungary rely on questionable methodologies. They argue that these methodologies result in poorly founded arguments and fail to accurately reflect the current state of media freedom. Additionally, the NMHH highlights that several reports only involve interviews with a few experts, limiting the breadth and diversity of perspectives considered.
Overlooking Positive Developments
According to the NMHH, international reports on media freedom in Hungary often fail to mention positive developments in the country's media landscape. The authority argues that this selective reporting creates a biased narrative and overlooks progress that has been made in enhancing media plurality and access to information.
Lack of Diversity in Report Preparation
The NMHH questions the diversity and balance of the groups involved in preparing these reports. They argue that in many instances, the writers and experts involved come from a single university department or news desk, limiting the range of perspectives considered. The authority suggests that independent experts should be given the opportunity to contribute to the assessment process to ensure a more balanced and comprehensive perspective.
Related Concerns with Specific Reports
The NMHH points out specific concerns with reports by organizations such as the Media Pluralism Monitor and Freedom House. In some cases, the reports contained outdated information or made claims about regulations that had not yet been implemented. The authority also criticizes the lack of transparency regarding the writers of these reports, raising doubts about their objectivity and impartiality.
Moving Towards More Balanced and Accurate Reporting
The NMHH aims to provide constructive criticism to improve the quality of reports on media freedom in Hungary. They emphasize the importance of professionally well-founded and balanced assessments that accurately reflect the reality of the country's media situation. The authority hopes that future reports will take into account their feedback and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of media freedom in Hungary.
Overall, the NMHH's concerns about the validity of international reports on media freedom raise important questions about assessing media landscapes in different countries. It highlights the need for transparent methodologies, diverse perspectives, and accurate representation of both challenges and advancements in media freedom.
Questions & Answers
Is the claim that international reports on media freedom in Hungary biased valid? According to the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), there are concerns about the methodologies and lack of diverse perspectives in several international reports on media freedom in Hungary. The NMHH states that some reports have included poorly founded arguments and failed to mention positive developments. They also question the inclusivity and balance of the groups of writers and experts involved in preparing these reports.
What criticisms does the NMHH have regarding the Media Pluralism Monitor reports? The NMHH points out that the 2021 Media Pluralism Monitor called Hungary to account for the implementation of an EU regulation that was only approved in 2022. They also highlight the inclusion of outdated comments in various annual reports, despite changes in the figures since then.
What is the NMHH's view on the writers and experts involved in preparing these reports? The NMHH raises concerns about the lack of diversity and balance among the groups of writers and experts involved in preparing the reports on media freedom in Hungary. They mention instances where all the writers were from a single university department or news desk, and independent experts were not allowed to contribute adequately to the assessment.
Which organizations' reports are specifically mentioned by the NMHH? The NMHH mentions reports by the EU-supported Media Pluralism Monitor, Freedom House, and Reporters Without Borders. They criticize the methodology, lack of diverse perspectives, and potential bias of these reports.
What does the NMHH hope to achieve with its criticism? The NMHH aims to contribute to the publication of more professionally well-founded and balanced reports that better reflect the reality of Hungary's media situation in the future. They believe that constructive criticism can lead to improvements in the quality and accuracy of these reports.
