Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently published a report detailing how Hungary’s interference with media freedom and pluralism is harming the rule of law. The report titled, “‘I Can’t Do My Job as a Journalist’: The Systematic Undermining of Media Freedom in Hungary,” shines light on the struggles independent journalists face, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Since 2010, the reigning Fidesz-KDNP government has consistently sought to control media freedom and erode the diversity of voices and opinions in the media. These efforts include exerting influence on the media regulatory body, enabling government-friendly outlets to predominate, and establishing direct political control over the public service broadcaster. Journalists now face surveillance, threats, restricted access to decision-makers and public information, and smear campaigns in the controlled media.
The Hungarian government passed a bill in December 2023 ‘to defend national sovereignty,’ which has been criticized for increasing executive power to silence independent voices and oppress dissent. This vaguely worded bill can be interpreted broadly enough by the government to smear civil society organizations and independent media entities, tagging them as threats to ‘sovereignty’ or ‘national security’.
The European Parliament raised concerns about the lack of media pluralism in Hungary and invoked the Article 7 proceedings in 2018. Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union allows for the suspension of certain rights of membership if a country persistently breaches fundamental principles of the EU. These principles include democracy, human dignity, freedom, equality, and the rule of law.
HRW has urged EU institutions to utilize their legal enforcement powers to progress the Article 7 process, in an effort to safeguard independent media and the freedom of information in Hungary.
Concerns about freedom of expression in Hungary are also echoed by the UN. In November 2021, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression voiced concerns following an official visit, citing issues like broad government regulatory authority, financial control over the media, and limited journalist access to information.
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