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The amendment of the Penal Code concerning hate speech is unconstitutional according to the Alkotmánybíróság (Constitutional Court - AB). The bill, which was adopted by the Parliament in December 2003, stipulated that anyone "who publicly incites hatred toward any nation, or national, ethnic, racial or religious groups or calls for violence against them, shall be liable to imprisonment for up to three years for such a crime". In addition, "anyone who publicly insults the dignity of a person because of his/her national, racial, ethnic or religious affiliation could be found guilty of a misdemeanour...

On 29 March 2004, the Hungarian parliament elected a successor to the President of the Hungarian Országos Rádió és Televízió Testület (Television and Radio Commission ­ ORTT), who had resigned in December 2003, as well as other members. Following the election, the funding due to public service broadcasting can now be released. Since the ORTT's responsibilities had only been assumed on an interim basis, the payments could not be made until the Commission was elected. The outstanding payments due amounted to approx. HUF 1.6 billion (approx. EUR 6.7 million calculated on 20 April 2004).

The Hungarian Information Technology Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office have provided financing (EUR 1.2 million) to launch a new Hungarian-language television channel in Transylvania. At this preparatory stage, the channel has three potential titles: Karpatia Television, Transylvanian Hungarian Television or Bar According to plans, the Channel may be launched at the end of 2004. In accordance with Romanian law, the Channel may not be considered as a public service channel as it will not receive Romanian government funding. It is intended that the Channel shall receive Hungarian public money...

On 21 January 2004, the Országos Rádió és Televízió Testület (National Radio and Television Commission of Hungary ­ ORTT) stated that radio "Tilos" ­ a non-profit broadcaster operating in the area of Budapest ­ has violated the provisions of the Broadcasting Act (Act No I of 1996 on Radio and Television Services) protecting groups of individuals against discrimination and insults on religious grounds. In addition to issuing the statement the ORTT also imposed a set of sanctions in the decision, consisting of the suspension of the broadcasts for 30 days, the exclusion of the radio from the financial...

On 22 December 2003 the Hungarian Parliament approved the Act on Motion Pictures. The aim of the Act is to increase the level of Hungarian film production by establishing a coherent national film support system. The nationality of a film is defined in the Act by detailed rules, based on the criteria specified in the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. The Act lays down provisions concerning the Magyar Mozgókép Közalapítvány (Motion Picture Public Foundation of Hungary). This institution was established by the government and 27 organisations in the field of cinema in 1998. According...