Hungary's leader wants drug tests for journalists
PABLO GORONDI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 12, 2014
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The Hungarian prime minister, who has vowed to remake his country into a "non-liberal" state as he moves closer to Moscow, called Friday for mandatory drug testing of journalists and politicians.
Viktor Orban's plan alarmed critics, who called it an attack on civil liberties and a cynical attempt to combat his declining popularity.
A member of his governing Fidesz party had recently suggested mandatory annual drug tests for 12- to 18-year-olds as well, but that plan has apparently been dropped.
In an interview on state radio, Orban said drug use and the "drug mafia" are a growing threat and that his government will fight back during the rest of its term, which lasts until 2018.
"Politicians, journalists and those filling positions of public trust have to be included (in the drug tests) because it is clear that those who consume drugs cannot be relied on in the fight against drugs," Orban said.
"We have to clarify where everyone stands. We have to announce this fight, and the drug mafia has to be squeezed out of Hungary with the most draconian punishments and the most precise procedures by the authorities," Orban said.
Journalists and civil-rights leaders were outraged.
The head of the Association of Hungarian Journalists said that while it was too soon to give a definitive opinion about the proposal, it was a reminder of darker times.
"If it becomes law, then I would say it creates a very sad situation in Hungarian life by bringing back the concept of collective guilt, an evil memory," Karoly Toth said.
The proposal suggests that "media workers are some sort of depraved people," said Zsuzsanna Gyongyosi, president of the Association of Independent Journalists.
At the same time, Gyongyosi said she agreed with the idea put forward by an opposition group that would make all lawmakers in parliament take a breath alcohol test before entering the chambers.
Balazs Gulyas, who has organized recent anti-Orban protests, said the drug tests would "stigmatize journalists as drug users" and were another effort to limit media freedoms.
"It is quite scary that now the government is directly targeting journalists," said Gulyas, a leader of large rallies against a now-shelved plan by Orban to tax Internet use.
continued http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/wor...nts-drug-tests-for-journalists-5952694.php#/0
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IMO a very clear example here of the real underlying design of the "war on drugs." Oppression and control, power and money are what its all about.
Do you think he reasoned this out on his own.
PABLO GORONDI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 12, 2014
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The Hungarian prime minister, who has vowed to remake his country into a "non-liberal" state as he moves closer to Moscow, called Friday for mandatory drug testing of journalists and politicians.
Viktor Orban's plan alarmed critics, who called it an attack on civil liberties and a cynical attempt to combat his declining popularity.
A member of his governing Fidesz party had recently suggested mandatory annual drug tests for 12- to 18-year-olds as well, but that plan has apparently been dropped.
In an interview on state radio, Orban said drug use and the "drug mafia" are a growing threat and that his government will fight back during the rest of its term, which lasts until 2018.
"Politicians, journalists and those filling positions of public trust have to be included (in the drug tests) because it is clear that those who consume drugs cannot be relied on in the fight against drugs," Orban said.
"We have to clarify where everyone stands. We have to announce this fight, and the drug mafia has to be squeezed out of Hungary with the most draconian punishments and the most precise procedures by the authorities," Orban said.
Journalists and civil-rights leaders were outraged.
The head of the Association of Hungarian Journalists said that while it was too soon to give a definitive opinion about the proposal, it was a reminder of darker times.
"If it becomes law, then I would say it creates a very sad situation in Hungarian life by bringing back the concept of collective guilt, an evil memory," Karoly Toth said.
The proposal suggests that "media workers are some sort of depraved people," said Zsuzsanna Gyongyosi, president of the Association of Independent Journalists.
At the same time, Gyongyosi said she agreed with the idea put forward by an opposition group that would make all lawmakers in parliament take a breath alcohol test before entering the chambers.
Balazs Gulyas, who has organized recent anti-Orban protests, said the drug tests would "stigmatize journalists as drug users" and were another effort to limit media freedoms.
"It is quite scary that now the government is directly targeting journalists," said Gulyas, a leader of large rallies against a now-shelved plan by Orban to tax Internet use.
continued http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/wor...nts-drug-tests-for-journalists-5952694.php#/0
............................................................................................................................
IMO a very clear example here of the real underlying design of the "war on drugs." Oppression and control, power and money are what its all about.
Do you think he reasoned this out on his own.
