Latest posts by Marietta Le
Hungary: For Gyöngyöspata's Roma, Evacuation – or an Easter Excursion?
First, there were the rumors of a right-wing paramilitary group's plans to hold training in the village of Gyöngyöspata. Then came the local mayor's resignation. Then on April 22, some 300 Roma women and children left the village. While media used the word 'evacuation' to describe what happened, government officials claimed the Roma had been taken on an Easter weekend holiday trip.
Hungary: A Medical Doctor on Twitter
Debrecen-based Bertalan Meskó, a medical doctor who tweets under the name @Berci and has more than 6,000 followers, reported on his blog [en] that he was listed among the Top 10 Medical Tweeters on Project IVLine. He wrote this about his Twitter experience: “Whenever I have a question about my...
Hungary: Fear of Pushing Copyright Term Extension Proposal
Kluwer Copyright Blog writes: “According to an official press release, the Danish government has changed its position and now endorses the European Commission’s proposal to extend the term of protection for sound recordings. Since Denmark was part of a fragile blocking minority in the European Council, there is a danger...
Hungary: A Visit To Gyöngyöspata
Activists of IndymediaCalling shared their recent experiences in Gyöngyöspata, a village in northern Hungary that got famous for being ‘occupied’ by members of a far-right paramilitary organization.
Hungary: Waiting for the Hungarian Guard
The conflict between the Roma and the Hungarian community of Gyöngyöspata, a village north of Budapest, escalated drastically when paramilitary organizations appeared in the settlement some two weeks ago, after the far-right Hungarian political party's rally. Marietta Le reports on the online response to the situation.
Hungary: New Blog on Arts and Culture
A new blog called Hungarian Watch is trying to help “media outlets, journalists, and concerned citizens” to find information on the deteriorating situation in arts and culture in Hungary. They are sharing notes from Hungarian citizens who work in the media and cultural sector as well.
Hungary: International Blackout Campaign
Citizens advocating freedom of speech are also trying to keep up the volume of the international coverage by means of communication on the internet. A group called Blackout for Hungary started a campaign for 24 hours beginning on Jan. 5 against the new media law introduced on Jan. 1. Marietta Le reports.
Hungary: Ice-T and the New Hungarian Media Law
Marietta Le reports on an ongoing investigation of a radio station that played a song by rapper Ice-T by Hungary's National Media and Infocommunication Authority.
Hungary: Comments on Upcoming Changes in Pension Fund System
Marietta Le writes about opposition to the Hungarian government's plans to bring private pension funds under state control to reduce budget deficit.
Hungary: Chemical Waste Reservoir Still Dangerous
Marietta Le translates a firsthand account from the area affected by the the caustic red sludge spill in Western Hungary and provides information on how to help the victims.
Hungary: Citizens Protest Against Auchan Shopping Mall
Marietta Le posts an update on the ongoing efforts by Hungarian citizens to save the Dunakeszi marsh, which would be destroyed if Auchan Hungary's expansion continues as planned.
Hungary: Another Silence Decree Blows a Gasket
Marietta Le reports on how Budapest residents are resisting the newest 'silence decree' that requires bars, restaurants and 24-hour shops in one of the city's districts to close early.
Hungary: Heterosexual Pride March
Marietta Le reviews blog coverage of the "Heterosexual Pride March" held in Budapest this past Saturday.
Hungary: A Controversial Interview With Former Communist Leader
Marietta Le follows the public discussion of Hungary's pre-1989 past, inspired by a documentary about Béla Biszku, who served as the country's Interior Minister from 1957 to 1961 and was in charge of the retributions against those who participated in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
Hungary: Sinning with Impunity
Twenty years after the transition to democracy, Hungary is discussing whether those who had committed crimes against citizens during the communist era should be called to account.
Hungary: Facebook vs iWiW
Marietta Le reports on the competition between a popular Hungarian social networking site iWiW and Facebook in Hungary.
Hungary: Bloggers’ Photo and Video Reports on the Flood
The floods of the past weeks affecting Central and Eastern Europe are not over yet, and below are some of the photo and video reports by Hungarian bloggers from areas affected by the natural disaster.
Hungary: The Story of an Investigative Journalist
Investigative journalist Tamás Bodoky resigned from index.hu because of a debate on whether it was appropriate to delete a paragraph from one of his stories after it had already been published. The Hungarian media are still discussing the issue which he covered, and this case has also inspired a public conversation about investigative journalism in the country.
Hungary: A Long Election Day
Marietta Le reports on Hungarian bloggers' reactions and observations, following the first round of the parliamentary election, which took place on April 11.
Hungary: Students Have Had Enough of Bomb Alerts
There have been three bomb alerts in the three weeks of the second semester at Corvinus University of Budapest. After the third one this week, students started to campaign against the unknown person blocking the university's life with calls reporting a bomb was placed somewhere on campus.
Hungary: The Invisible Marsh
Marietta Le reports on the story of one of Hungary's most successful citizen campaigns, whose goal is to save an endangered marsh by preventing an allegedly illegal expansion of a shopping center.