The Hungarian media have undergone significant changes in a mere twodecades since the fall of communism. Reporters discuss themes about political
reform, the elections, corruption, and even political protest. They critically
analyze stories asking the basic questions while frequently providing follow-up.
The press has liberalized, reflecting pluralistic domestic and international
information sources as opposed to the State-controlled media before 1990. The
media, along with free elections, transparency of law and government, and a civil
society, are important benchmarks for a society that strives to compare favorably
with the West, and for that reason deserves examination.
The dissertation examined the 1996 Radio and Television Act in Hungary.
Using a case study approach, the research provides insight into the complexities
and the difficulties in democratizing a previously state-owned and operated
broadcast system. Historical analysis has been deployed to study the communist
government media policy, followed by a policy analysis of the drafting and
enactment of Hungary's 1996 Broadcasting Act. Documents shore up the history
of the broadcasting system and development of the Broadcasting Act. Interviews
furnish insights in the political media arena of the communist times and
subsequent regime changes. The dissertation concludes with analysis and
recommendations concerning the future of Hungarian media and the necessity
for revisions of media law.