Executive Summary
Since 2010, as part of its broader effort to consolidate executive power, the Hungarian government has radically restructured the media sector by capturing large segments of the market and systematically obstructing the remaining independent outlets. Once pluralistic, Hungary’s media landscape now serves as the most sophisticated example of media capture in the European Union (EU). The ruling party, Fidesz, is estimated to directly or indirectly control roughly eighty percent of the country’s media. Hungarians’ trust in news is amongst the lowest in Europe. Between 2010 and 2025, Hungary’s rank in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index fell from 23rd to 68th out of 180 countries measured, leaving it among the lowest-ranked member states in the EU.
The government’s capture of the media sector, through its control of state-owned public service media, consolidation of private outlets under government-allied ownership, and diversion of state advertisement funds to government-friendly outlets, is well-documented. Less well-documented are the government’s systematic attempts to undermine independent media outlets, placing their continued existence in grave jeopardy.
This report provides a comprehensive account of the Hungarian government’s escalating repression of independent media and offers recommendations for reform. The government has not needed to resort to overt censorship or imprisoning journalists in order to restrict independent media. It has used more sophisticated tactics to achieve that end. As described below, these tactics include: the weaponization of laws against independent media outlets; targeted exclusion of independent journalists; use of smear campaigns; Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs); and unlawful surveillance. Independent media outlets have also been targeted with cyberattacks, although it has not been fully determined who is responsible for those attacks.
To read the full report: The Repression of Independent Media in Hungary, 2010-2025