The Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Press Institute are urging European Union leaders to “unequivocally and immediately condemn Hungary’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law,” warning that it “poses severe threat to independent journalism and press freedom and should be immediately challenged under EU law.” On May 13, 2025, a Fidesz MEP introduced a bill ... Press Freedom Organizations Condemn Hungary’s Proposed “Foreign Agent” Law

On May 13, 2025, an MEP of the ruling party introduced a bill reminiscent of Russia’s “foreign agents” legislation that would severely restrict organizations receiving funding from abroad. The proposal, titled “On transparency in the public sphere,” would grant Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office sweeping powers to target independent organizations deemed threats to national sovereignty by ... Hungary Proposes ‘Foreign Agents’ Law Targeting Independent Media and NGOs

Two media companies—Alhambra Press, publisher of Magyar Hang, and another company that wishes to remain anonymous—have filed a complaint with the European Commission alleging illegal state aid in Hungary’s media sector. Their comprehensive analysis documents a severely market-distorting allocation of state advertising revenues: media outlets aligned with the government have reportedly received over €1.1 billion ... Magyar Hang files state aid complaint to the EC against Hungary

The Fidesz-KDNP governing parties have adopted a constitutional amendment that “creates the possibility that the Hungarian citizenship of Hungarian citizens who are also citizens of another state, not including citizens of states with the right of free movement and residence, is suspended in accordance with the provisions of a cardinal Act.” Under the new legislation ... Constitutional Amendment Enables Suspension of Citizenship

On March 15, in his public speech (where only national television stations were allowed to broadcast), Prime Minister Viktor Orbán raised the intensity of the hate campaign against organizations and individuals critical of the government to a new level, comparing them to bugs. In his own words:  “The heady day of 15 March 1848 was ... Journalist “bugs” and press freedom

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the Hungarian government’s war on NGOs and independent media has escalated. The smear campaigns, communications from Prime Minister Orbán and his allies, and actions by state agencies all point in the same direction: taking advantage of the international situation, the government is intensifying its efforts to silence independent ... More Extreme, Unfounded Attacks and Serious Threats Against Independent Media from Prime Minister Orbán and His Party

The latest “research report” from the Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) seeks to expose the consortium led by the publisher of 444, Magyar Jeti Zrt. as a tool for political pressure by the European Commission. The Eastern Frontier Initiative, which includes 444, Dutch Bellingcat, Polish Gazeta Wyborcza, Romanian PressOne, and Slovak SME, is funded by the ... Sovereignty Protection Office: The European Commission is Building a New Media Empire

Reporters of Telex were detained by the police when they wanted to question Viktor Orban at a public event. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the intimidation of journalists and the obstruction of reporting in a statement, which “marks a clear escalation of intimidatory tactics, previously unheard of in Hungary”, and called for a swift ... Journalists Were Taken by the Police When Seeking to Question Viktor Orban

Átlátszó disputes the findings of the Sovereignty Protection Office’s “investigation report” titled “The Impact of Átlátszó’s Activities on Hungarian Sovereignty.” The report is baseless and, in many instances, contains outright falsehoods. As a result, Átlátszó are filing a defamation lawsuit against the Office.

In early 2024, Hungary’s Protection of National Sovereignty Act set up a so-called Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO). Ostensibly aimed at countering foreign influence on Hungarian elections, the SPO is an arbitrarily appointed body operating without any oversight – as pointed out in a joint statement by independent Hungarian media outlets. The SPO’s activities so far ... Hungarian Sovereignty Office on Átlátszó: journalism is espionage

The European Commission has decided to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union, as its national law on the  ‘Defence of Sovereignty’  is in breach of EU law. The Commission indicated in February that, in its view, the law is in breach of EU law. Since the response provided by the ... The Commission decides to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union

The International Press Institute published a guest article on the actions of Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office and their ramifications on journalism by Eva Bognar, Coordinating Director of Mediaforum.