In a lively debate today in Strasbourg the new Hungarian media law dominated the parliamentary debate with Viktor Orban as he presented his programme for the next 6 months under the rotating presidency of the European Union.

Whilst supporting the broad policy ambitions of the Hungarian presidency Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Liberal group in the European Parliament underlined that the "elephant in the room is the controversy surrounding the freedom of the media in Hungary following the new law in force since the beginning of the year."

"2011 is a crucial year for the EU which must rise to a number of major challenges. Hungary will need all the support it can get to make a success of its presidency and especially in dealing with the crisis of the eurozone. Bringing the new law into line with OSCE standards and the recommendations of the European Commission will therefore be key to preventing further unnecessary distractions from the important business of leading the EU and preserving Europe's reputation in the world as a standard bearer of freedom."

Alexander Lambsdorff (FDP, Germany), ALDE Vice-President, who was singled out by the Hungarian Prime Minister for his criticism of the Hungarian law, called on Orban to "accept objective criticism of the law and not treat it as a personal attack."

"Our criticism of the restrictive media law is legitimate and precise. It is in no way an attack on the Hungarian people. Rather our defence of freedom of expression in the media is a core European value shared and demonstrated in the past by Hungarians in their historic challenge to the former communist regime."