Sovereignty Protection Office

Hungary Proposes ‘Foreign Agents’ Law Targeting Independent Media and NGOs

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

Journalist “bugs” and press freedom

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

More Extreme, Unfounded Attacks and Serious Threats Against Independent Media from Prime Minister Orbán and His Party

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

Sovereignty Protection Office: The European Commission is Building a New Media Empire

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

We Stand Up for Independent Journalism

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

Hungarian Sovereignty Office on Átlátszó: journalism is espionage

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

Átlátszó files lawsuit against the Sovereignty Protection Office

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.