Many newspapers have joined the initiation of the Hungarian Advertising Association (MRSz) to publish blank pages on Friday in protesting against the government’s advertisement tax bill proposal.

The greatest Hungarian commercial channels RTL Klub and TV2 also joined the movement along with Viasat group and Hír TV. The channels are planning to broadcast black screens tomorrow (June 5) from 7.15 pm to 7.30 pm.

MRSz says that the new tax to be levied makes the majority of Hungarian media companies difficult to operate, if not impossible. MRSz added that communication industry is the engine of national economy, thus the government should be supporting its operation instead of afflicting it with further taxes.

The Association of Hungarian Journalists (MÚOSz) is also objecting against the tax bill. MÚOSz claims the tax bill proposal to be an attack against the Hungarian press, which has recently been in a crucial situation regardless the possible introduction of the new tax.

L. Simon László, the MP of Fidesz, following his submission of the tax bill proposal said that the parliament would start discussions in the summer and will decide on the issue by fall, the latest. He also reflected on the roar made by the media giving an interview to Hungarian radio station Kossuth Rádió, yesterday (June 3).