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
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
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
The statements issued by the Sovereignty Protection Office regarding Atlatszo and the media at large reject the fundamental values of democratic public discourse. The undersigned publishers, editorial offices, journalists, and organizations engaged in the democratic public sphere stand in solidarity with Atlatszo under attack and present the following as our unified position: Those who reveal … We Stand Up for Independent Journalism
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.
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