Registration of online media products
The Authority is responsible for the registration and record-keeping of print and online press products. The data recorded in the registers with regards to the title of the press product as well as the name and contact information of the press product founders and publishers are public and are available on the website of the Authority.
Any person can start an online press product without any license. Currently close to 3300 online media products are registered by NMHH. Click here to see the records in the registry: http://webext.nmhh.hu/sajto_kozzetetel/app/index.jsp?lang=1.
The publisher of the press products may start its activity without being registered. Actually, registration is not a prerequisite to starting a service; registration only needs to be completed within 60 days from the activity started. This rule is designed to protect the freedom of the press; however, registration, of course, is still mandatory.
It is a case-by-case decision as to what is considered an online media product from among all the various websites. The decision is made on the basis of the Media Act: the question is whether the following apply to the website simultaneously: offers some business service, assumes editorial responsibility, has an entertainment or educational purpose, and is available to the public.
Further interpretation of the concept of a press product is supported by the following summary: The concept of media service and press product in the new Hungarian media regulation.