Erstellt am: 22. 12. 2011 - 14:29 Uhr

Medvedev's promises and Putin's prospects

Reality Check: Dmitry Medvedev gives his "state of the nation" speech, media restrictions in Hungary, data retention law, Bradley Manning update, universtity fees debate.

In his last "state of the nation" address before the presidential elections in Spring, Dmitri Medvedev promises a "public" TV service independent of the state and political and electoral reforms.

He said the number number of votes needed for a candidate to stand for the presidency will be lowered to 300.000, and that local governors will be elected directly by local people. But is there any real change in these announcements? Our Moscow correspondent, Karen Percy, says it is almost certain that Putin will win the presidential election regardless of any electoral changes.

Protests against media controls in Hungary

An independent radio station has had its frequencies withdrawn and journalists at the state TV are on hunger strike. Nick Thorpe looks at the increasing restrictions on the Hungarian media.

Petition against data retention law

The online petition calling on the government to changing the planned data retention law is receiving overwhelming support. The planned law would allow authorities to store details of all citizens' electronic communications. Andreas Krisch, president of the Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung, tells Joanna Bostock about the petition and its aims.

Bradley Manning hearing

The Bradley Manning hearing has reached the end of its first stage, and will continue after Christmas.

Although the focus has been on how the documents were leaked, there are also questions about Manning himself, who is emerging as a troubled young man who should probably not have been in the military in the first place.

Our Washington DC correspondent, Priscilla Huff, reviews what has emerged so far in the military hearing on the man accused of giving secret US government documents to Wikileaks.

Study fees debate

Science Minister, Karlheinz Töchterle's plan for higher education was met with strong reaction and debate yesterday. Former Dutch education Minister, Jozef Rizen, met Chris Cummins at the Salzburg Global Seminar, and explained his views on the issues at stake.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.