Celebrations as Hungary halts internet tax plan
- 10 years ago
Thousands in Budapest celebrate after the government freezes plans to impose a tax on internet traffic.
The proposal, aimed at bringing down Hungary's budget deficit, would have made people pay a fee on each gigabyte of data they use.
People have taken to the streets in recent days to protest what they said would be unfair and a curb on free expression and access to information.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARIAN SOCIAL NETWORK "IWIW" FOUNDER, ZSOLT VARADY, SAYING:
"We have regained our belief that we are able to form our own country, and perhaps the most important thing that happened is that the masses turned from passivity into an active state."
Others are sceptical the tax plans have gone away for good.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) PROTESTER, DANIEL SOOS, SAYING:
"I think the government just wants to take the wind out of the sails and divert attention, they will wait until the enthusiasm of the protesters die down a bit. I think we have neither wo
The proposal, aimed at bringing down Hungary's budget deficit, would have made people pay a fee on each gigabyte of data they use.
People have taken to the streets in recent days to protest what they said would be unfair and a curb on free expression and access to information.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARIAN SOCIAL NETWORK "IWIW" FOUNDER, ZSOLT VARADY, SAYING:
"We have regained our belief that we are able to form our own country, and perhaps the most important thing that happened is that the masses turned from passivity into an active state."
Others are sceptical the tax plans have gone away for good.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) PROTESTER, DANIEL SOOS, SAYING:
"I think the government just wants to take the wind out of the sails and divert attention, they will wait until the enthusiasm of the protesters die down a bit. I think we have neither wo