4 January 2012
In recent days, a number of prominent UK media outlets, including The Financial Times, Guardian, Economist and the BBC have included articles on the current political situation in Hungary. In essence, the reporting has focused on the increased criticism of the Hungarian government from both inside and outside the country. In some respects, it was reminiscent of the media’s coverage of Hungarian affairs this time last year, particularly when Hungary assumed the Presidency of the EU. The big issue then was the introduction of a new media law – today, the cause is the public demonstrations against a myriad of complaints about either new policies or new laws.
An interesting feature of this current reportage is the lack of balance within the content of the articles and analysis. Even a cursory glance at the main articles highlights the imbalance between the views of ‘critics’ and the government or its supporters. If this was an isolated case then one could overlook such a situation but given that it is prevalent in every report irrespective of source, it really does raise some questions.
A very obvious first question is why there would appear to be so little perspective or explanation as to why the Hungarian government is doing things? Given that they have an enormous democratic mandate – indeed they were voted in to do the things they are doing – is it really so difficult to find people to explain the motivation behind their actions?
Another obvious question is why the UK media seems unable to see past Budapest and the usual political suspects when it comes to reporting about Hungary. If the country is in turmoil and the ruling party’s rating in the opinion polls has plummeted, where are the demonstrations in Szeged, or Eger, or Solnok or Debrecen? Could it be that the opposition – particularly the LMP has no representation of any note outside Budapest? Is it possible that by focusing on Budapest, the UK media is failing to show a true representation of Hungary?
Perhaps the UK media might also begin to wonder if it is not actually being manipulated and becoming a sounding board for a political opposition which, having been soundly thrashed at the ballot box, is seeking to attract external forces to overturn the democratic will of the majority?
Consider this alternative reading of politics in Hungary. A democratic political party with an overwhelming democratic mandate to change politics and reconstitute a post-communist settlement, a party which has been tasked to clean up massive political corruption and a party which has been inherited an economic mess is being challenged on every front. Every new law is criticised, some even before they are published. The EU is monitoring every move the government makes and has asked for new legislation to be delayed, refined, amended or dumped. EU parliamentarians threaten dire consequences and Hungarian politicians are shouted down in the EU Parliament. Access to international financial support is denied unless legislation is changed – this from an unelected Brussels Commission official to a democratically-elected Member State Prime Minister! Why am I not being offered an insight into any of the above?
Too many UK media organisations are failing their readership or viewers. There is still – I hope – an expectation of balanced reporting from our leading journalists but in the case of Hungary, this balance is sadly lacking. This does not mean that Hungary is not guilty as accused – that is entirely possible. However, the journalists in Hungary have not convinced me. Indeed, one look at the blogs generated by their reports would suggest that I am not alone in being unconvinced. For example, I wonder if the FT editorial team ever looks at their readers comments on the quality of their reporting from Hungary. I was amazed at the numbers who felt their journalists were misrepresenting the situation in Hungary and that they should stick to economics and finance. Not really a vote of confidence in their journalism, is it?
Maybe its time the UK journalists moved out of Budapest. Perhaps it is time they produced some objectivity and give us a more informed story. Even better, why don’t they encourage a more professional corps of Hungarian journalists who can move beyond petty allegiances and begin looking for and investigating the real stories in Hungary.
Oh, and by the way, remember the media law which set off last year’s round of criticism? Remember the vitriol from the Socialists, Liberals and Greens in the EU Parliament? Remember the EU vetting? Guess what – there was nothing wrong with it after all. It would be shocking if our so-called quality media was found wanting again!