Hungarian Journalists Experience Relief After Orbán's Election Loss
The recent electoral defeat of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has brought a significant change for journalists in Hungary. After 16 years of stringent media control and restrictions on press freedoms, many journalists are now experiencing a sense of relief. Investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi, who previously faced smear campaigns and accusations of espionage, is now back in Budapest and preparing to release his book, "Friends with Benefits," which explores Russian intelligence operations in Hungary.
Orbán's loss in the April election has altered the landscape for independent journalism in Hungary. Under his leadership, the country saw a drastic decline in press freedom, dropping from 23rd to 68th place on the Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index. The new center-right government led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar has begun to reverse some of these restrictions. Just weeks after the election, police dropped the espionage complaint against Panyi, indicating a shift away from the political control that characterized Orbán's administration.
The Magyar government has taken steps to dismantle the media empire built by Orbán's Fidesz party, which had monopolized around 80% of Hungary's media market. One of the first actions taken was to suspend news programming on public media, which had long served as a government mouthpiece. The new administration has replaced much of the leadership in public media and resumed news broadcasts, marking a significant departure from the previous regime's practices.
Gábor Polyák, a media researcher and the new head of Hungary's media authority, noted that the previous media council was entirely composed of Fidesz nominees, leading to an overwhelming concentration of media power. The new structure aims to create a more balanced media landscape, with nominations from both the governing party and opposition parties.
Changes to Media Authority and Legislation
In addition to restructuring the media authority, the new government has also closed the Sovereignty Protection Office, a tool used to intimidate critics and suppress independent media. New legislation has been introduced to prohibit political advertisements that incite hatred, a common tactic during Orbán's campaigns. The financial support that pro-Fidesz media outlets relied on has diminished, leading to the closure of several outlets tied to the former government.
Case Closed
The return of the left-leaning daily Népszabadság, which was shut down in 2016, symbolizes a potential revival of independent journalism in Hungary. Gábor Horváth, the paper's deputy editor-in-chief, expressed optimism about the future of media freedom in the country. However, some journalists remain cautious, noting that certain practices from the previous government persist, such as the refusal to release information requested under freedom of information laws.
Despite these challenges, the new government's approach to press access has improved significantly. Journalists are now allowed to move freely within the parliament and engage with officials, a stark contrast to the restrictions imposed under Orbán's rule. As Hungary navigates this transition, many journalists are hopeful for a more open and free media environment.
