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Transcript/Script ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Hungary EU Sovereign Defense Law (TV)
HEADLINE: Hungary, EU Face Off Over New 'Sovereignty Protection' Law
TEASER: Critics say new legislation will be used to consolidate Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s grip on power
PUBLISHED AT: 2/9/2024 AT 9:30am
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Budapest, Hungary
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ancsin Gábor
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, sb, DJ (ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, APTN, Reuters, AFP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:58
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Hungary has rejected criticism of its new ‘sovereignty protection’ law, after the European Union instigated legal action against Budapest Wednesday. The EU has concerns that the legislation breaches basic democratic rights. Henry Ridgwell has more from the Hungarian capital.]]
((NARRATOR))
Hungary passed a vaguely worded law on “protecting national sovereignty” in December, creating a new investigative body with sweeping powers to gather information on any groups or individuals involved in public life that receive foreign funding. Those found to have used foreign funding in election campaigns can face up to three years' imprisonment. Hungary’s intelligence services can assist in investigations – with little or no judicial oversight.
((FOR RADIO: Barbara Grabowska-Moroz (pron. Barbara Grabovska-Morosh) is with the Democracy Institute at Budapest’s Central European University.))
((Barbara Grabowska-Moroz, Central European University Democracy Institute (in English) ))
“We have very vague provisions about a potential threat to sovereignty coming from foreign funding which might affect the voters in Hungary. So, we’re using very broad definitions here.”
The European Union — which has repeatedly criticized what it sees as a democratic backsliding in Hungary — said Wednesday that the legislation violates EU law. The EU commission said it had sent a letter of formal notice announcing it had opened an infringement procedure against the country.
((FOR RADIO: EU Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper (pron Aneeta Hippa).))
((Anitta Hipper, EU Commission Spokesperson (in English)))
“In particular when it comes to the principle of democracy and the electoral rights of the EU citizens, the fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the EU Data Protection Law, and several rules applicable to the internal market.”
((NARRATOR))
The Hungarian government repeatedly refused VOA requests for an interview.
Writing on ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said the law was introduced after Hungarian opposition parties took foreign funding during the 2022 election – including from the Hungarian-born U.S. financier George Soros, a frequent target of the ruling Fidesz ((pron. FEE-dehs)) party. Opposition parties deny acting illegally.
The sovereignty law could apply to a wide range of groups and individuals. Critics have compared the legislation to Russia’s ‘foreign agents’ law, which has forced out several non-governmental organizations and shuttered civil society.
Andras Petho (pron. On-drash Pettoo) is founder of the Direkt36 Investigative Journalism Center.
((Andras Petho, Direkt36 Investigative Journalism Center (in English) ))
“Its responsibilities and its role is very vague. Basically, it can look into the activities of anyone – it can be private individuals, it can be organizations, the media, it can be civil society organizations, so it’s very vague. That’s why we and a lot of other people think that it’s dangerous for the public discourse.”
((NARRATOR)) // ((Henry Ridgwell, VOA News (standup version))
Hungary now has two months to respond to the European Union, before the bloc takes further action. There is little sign yet that the government is prepared to compromise.
((Henry Ridgwell, VOA News, Budapest.))
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Budapest, Hungary
Embargo DateFebruary 9, 2024 09:21 EST
BylineHenry Ridgwell
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
