Source: European Parliament
The Commission is aware of the fact that journalists have been questioned by the Hungarian Constitution Protection Office.
The Commission monitor incidents involving journalists in all Member States in the framework of its annual Rule of Law Report, which covers all Member States, including Hungary. The next edition will be published in July 2025.
As of 8 August 2025, Article 4(3)(a) of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)[1] will become applicable. The provision states that Member States shall ensure that journalistic sources and confidential communications are effectively protected. Member States shall not (…) oblige media service providers or their editorial staff to disclose information related to or capable of identifying journalistic sources or confidential communications or oblige any persons who, because of their regular or professional relationship with a media service provider or its editorial staff, might have such information to disclose it.
It is the objective of that and other safeguards in EMFA to ensure free and independent media across the EU and protect them against undue interference. The Commission will use all the tools at its disposal to ensure effective compliance with this provision across the EU.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1083