Media Regulation and LGBTQ Representation: Analyzing the Impact of Hungary’s "Pedophile Law" in the EU Context

Abstract

This paper examines the Hungarian legislation, colloquially referred to as the “pedophile law,” and its implications for media regulation and LGBTQ rights. The law, which restricts the promotion of homosexuality and gender reassignment to minors, has sparked considerable controversy and prompted an infringement procedure by the European Commission. Through a critical analysis of this legislation and its enforcement mechanisms, this study discusses the tension between national sovereignty in media regulation and EU principles of human rights and non-discrimination. It also explores how the ambiguity of certain EU legal frameworks can be exploited by member states to justify and enact discriminatory measures under the pretext of child protection, with broader implications for democratic governance in Central and Eastern Europe.