The Médiafórum Association firmly rejects and condemns the coordinated smear campaign against journalist Szabolcs Panyi. This campaign, orchestrated by government-aligned media and backed by intelligence tactics, is a grave concern. We find it particularly alarming that the government is now charging a journalist with espionage. Our Association stands in full solidarity with Szabolcs Panyi and wishes to highlight the following facts to the public:
The Legal Absurdity of “Treason” Charges
Under Section 258 of the Hungarian Criminal Code, a charge of treason requires proof that the individual cooperated with foreign actors specifically to undermine Hungary’s independence or constitutional order.
- Sharing a widely known phone number with a source and standard journalistic practices, such as exchanging information, do not constitute a crime against the state.
- Framing professional journalism as a national security threat is not only a legal absurdity but a deliberate distortion of the fundamental right to information.
- Criminalizing journalism in this manner is a transparent attempt to deflect attention from government accountability.
Manipulation and the Abuse of Intelligence Services
The formal accusation against Szabolcs Panyi is built upon manipulated evidence. The leaked recordings were edited out of context to create a false narrative of criminal cooperation. Echoing the position of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), we maintain that using intelligence tools for political gain, surveillance, and disinformation mirror the tactics of secret police in autocratic regimes. The previous Pegasus surveillance of Panyi and this current campaign are two sides of the same coin: the authorities are weaponizing national security services to silence critical voices rather than protect national security.
The Médiafórum Association declares that any attempt by the state to restrict the independent press is unacceptable. State agencies are not above the law; they must prove the legal and professional justification for any intervention. It is fundamentally unacceptable for state institutions to serve partisan interests or political agendas.
Journalism is not espionage. The campaign against Szabolcs Panyi is a clear attempt to intimidate the independent Hungarian press. We call on decision-makers to stop weaponizing the law, harassing journalists, and obstructing their essential work.
Budapest, March 26, 2026
Translated using AI with human oversight.