Free media exists in Hungary and is making its voice heard as the country heads toward elections that could wipe out 16 years of Viktor Orban’s rule.
Independent and research websites like Direct36THE partisan, telex AND 444 have highlighted a steady stream of scandals in recent weeks and months, proving that bold and critical journalism is not dead, even in Hungary, where the ruling Fidesz government exercises tight control over the press.
On the eve of Sunday’s elections, which could well see deportation of Viktor Orbán as prime minister, journalists have uncovered secret government plans to send Hungarian soldiers to Chad, attempts to dismantle the digital infrastructure of the opposition Tisza party, and transcripts of embarrassing conversations held between Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian foreign minister’s phone calls with his Russian counterpart.
Péter Magyar gave his Bomb interview 2024 criticizing his Fidesz partisanan independent YouTube channel.
“This campaign showed the importance of free media,” said Martón Kárpáti, Telex’s board president. Euractiv’s partner. “If you had just read or looked at pro-government websites or media, then you would have no idea what is happening in the country,” he said.
Whistleblowers and pressure
A veteran Hungarian conservative noted a scandal uncovered by Direct36describing it as a major conspiracy that has received very little international attention and could require prison terms.
On March 24, outlet reported an alleged attempt by hackers to break into the IT systems of the Tisza Party by recruiting two staff members, known online as Gundalf and Buda.
Péter Magyar accused Viktor Orbán of arming the intelligence services, calling it a “coup” worse than Watergate, and has since appeared with one of the figures at rallies.
The media has long been dominated by Viktor Orbán, whose government has imposed restrictions on press freedom and whose allies have bought up nearly all mainstream media. Orban’s Fidesz controls a giant consortium called KESMA. According to Reporters Without Bordersabout 80% of the media are pro-government.
“Since he became prime minister, he simply did not give any interviews to any reliable and independent media when he could have faced … tough questions,” Telex’s Kárpáti said.
Journalist Veronika Munk, formerly of Telex and now at Denník N, said that whistleblowers speaking out in independent media is a “new phenomenon”. Such a case is Sylvester Pálinkása Hungarian army captain who told Telex that Orbán’s son Gáspár pushed for a mission to Chad.
Orbán is rarely subject to press scrutiny, instead opting for his softball studio Radio Kossuth, which is part of Hungary’s government-controlled public broadcaster.
“Twenty years ago it was quite easy to have interviews with politicians, or hospital or school directors, what happened in the Orban era is that it became more and more difficult to do interviews,” said Munk. Euractiv.
Lawmakers, ministers and state officials simply don’t answer reporters’ questions, and getting a question at the government’s weekly press conference is never guaranteed, she added.
“I wouldn’t say that press freedom doesn’t exist in Hungary, but media pluralism (faces) a pretty hostile situation.”
(bw, cs)
