Re-transformation of the polish and hungarian media systems? Changes in media policy

Abstract

Since 2010 in Hungary, and since 2015 in Poland, disturbing changes in media policy have been implemented by right-wing governments, with implications for the media’s freedom and pluralism in both countries. The worsening situation is evidenced, inter alia, by reports and studies carried out by international organisations such as Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders. An analysis of the regulations introduced and the actions of government elites consisting in interfering in media markets and public media activities reveals many similarities and common elements of media policy. These changes are so severe and so far, removed from European standards and practices in countries which are so-called full democracies that one has to wonder whether the actions of the Hungarian and Polish authorities are not a sign of another transformation, which this time involves a move from a democratic system towards a quasi-authoritarian one. The present study is based on the political-regulatory perspective; it applies selected criteria of comparative analysis according to the concept of Hallin and Mancini, taking into account additional factors, indicated as necessary by researchers dealing with the media systems of Central and Eastern European countries.