Hungary hosts Internet conference

(Vatican Radio) Hungary is hosting a massive international Internet conference attended by government officials, scientists, civil organizations and media experts from around the world aimed at tackling cybercrime and to improve protection for all Internet users, starting with children.
The 'Budapest Conference on Cyberspace' will attempt to increase the number of countries signing the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
That document was adopted by the Council of Europe in 2001 and ratified or signed by nearly 50 nations.
The gathering comes at a time when people increasingly use social media to communicate, or consume news, television, radio, video's and music through the Internet.
Those developments have been overshadowed by groups and individuals who are involved
in online crime, ranging from hacking into bank accounts to the misuse of children.
Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi says the conference aims to protect these and future generations.
"Cyberspace also fosters cybercrime, posing risks to people, to companies to society. We must protect them, just as we needs to enhance international security respecting human and civil rights," he stressed.
"Our conference will strive to tackle these questions, which conern all of us and which determine our childrens' future, " Martonyi added.
Among key note speakers are British Foreign Minister William Hague, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. Hungary as a venue for the meeting isn't without controversy.
The country has been criticized over its new media law that opponents claim limits freedom
of expression of the electronic and other media, though the government claims the legislation
is line with international practice.
The October 3-5 event has as theme 'With Trust and Security for Freedom and Prosperity' and is the first follow-up gathering to the 2011 London Conference on Cyberspace. The next one will be held in South Korea. Listen to this report by Stefan Bos