Budapest, Hungary (CNN) -- Protesters who banded together online are expected to take to the streets of Hungary on Friday to protest a controversial new media law that triggered an avalanche of criticism.
The protests have been brewing and organizing on social networks and blogs, despite Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban saying last week that he will change the law if the European Union wants.
Hungarian journalists already appear to be walking a fine line between self-censorship and informing the public, Hungarian media figures say.
The new National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) is, for them, a particular concern. Under the new law, it oversees all print, online and electronic media and can impose big fines if news is not "balanced".
Critics in Hungary and abroad say the law is too vague and its scope too wide.
"The media law will probably not be used during Hungary's EU-presidency in order to calm down the international press," says Andras Bozoki, a well-known political scientist at the Central European University in Budapest. "But if we do not pay further attention, they will start using it from July 2011".
Many members of the Facebook generation in Hungary don't trust that "Uncle Orban" -- as some call the prime minister -- will change the law. CNN
