A press release from European Alliance of News Agencies

To the Government of Hungary and the Parliament of Hungary,

The Board of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) has since the summer 2010 followed the Hungarian government'smeasures to change the country'smedia laws. The EANA Board joins the large number of media and human rights organizations expressing deep concern about these developments that turn the country'smedia legislation in a direction away from basic principles of media freedom. It is to be stressed that these new media laws, giving governmental bodies increased control over media and opening up for forcing journalists to identify sources etc, are implemented when the Hungarian government is due to take over the Presidency of the European Union.

Implementing media legislation that, if misused, can suppress media and violate basic rules of media freedom and un-biased news reporting concern not only Hungary but the European community as such, said EANA President, Mika Pettersson, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Finnish news agency STT-Lehtikuva.

The European Alliance of News Agencies comprises news agencies in 31 European countries and serves as a forum for cooperation and information for the news agency business. The EANA statutes stress that member news agencies support the principles of freedom of the press and unbiased news.

The organisation'sboard urges the Hungarian government to safeguard the independence of the public and other media.

For more information please contact Erik Nylen, Secretary General, EANA +46 739 865272