In the recent issue of Kultura Liberalna, Dominika Bychawska-Siniarska reviews the controversial provisions of the new law. These provide for, in particular, the creation of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), a supervisory body with wide-ranging competencies. In addition, the act failed to establish clear criteria for the appointment and dismissal of the NMHH president. Another challenged solution is the establishment of the Media Council empowered to impose discretionary and severe penalties on broadcasters or newspapers, also if the content they present is in conflict with the generally adopted and correct political line defined by the government. The powers, exercisable at the request of the Media Council, to search the premises of a newspaper, inspect the documents and oblige journalists to reveal their sources of information in matters of national security and public order has been found to be in stark contrast with the standards of freedom of speech.
 
Faced with international criticism, the act has undergone only minor changes. Nevertheless, the intervention by the Constitutional Court, which found a number of provisions of the Media Act to be unconstitutional, proved to be effective and forced the government to make appropriate legislative changes. The unconstitutional provisions will expire on 31 May 2012.
 
The analysis of the media situation in Hungary is only one of few indications of the non-democratic changes in Hungary presented in the last issue of Kultura Liberalna. Dr. Bodnar calls on European states to remain vigilant and asks the question why the Polish government fails to take a position on the changes taking place in the Hungarian political system.