Press Freedom Organizations Condemn Hungary’s Proposed “Foreign Agent” Law

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 MP introduced a bill that would make it practically impossible for targeted organizations to receive any funding once placed on a government-decreed list. Organizations may be designated upon recommendation of the Sovereignty Protection Office based on extremely vague criteria: that their activities “threaten national sovereignty” and that they receive foreign funding. According to the bill, “influencing public debate”, for example, would be considered such a threat. Any external money, including funding from EU tenders, is classified as “foreign funding.” (See the summary of the proposed bill here.)
“The introduction of this Russian-style ‘foreign agent’ bill is a chilling signal that Orbán’s government is prepared to eliminate the last remnants of Hungary’s independent media in its pursuit of unchecked power ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections,” said Tom Gibson, CPJ’s deputy advocacy director, EU. “This measure amounts to Hungary’s complete abandonment of its responsibilities as a member of the European Union and would fundamentally undermine democracy. European leaders must act swiftly.”
The International Press Institute emphasized that “the proposed law poses a direct threat to core EU values of media freedom and media pluralism as set forth in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. In targeting funding for media from within the EU, it stands in direct contrast to the vision of the EU as a shared community and single market.”
Over two hundred Hungarian organizations have signed a joint statement protesting the proposed legislation.