Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has found himself at the centre of a new international scandal: two Hungarian media organisations have filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing the government of massive support for pro-government media through illegal state subsidies. This was reported by the Financial Times.
According to the investigation, it involves more than a billion euros channelled through advertising contracts in favour of newspapers, TV channels and online platforms loyal to the government. The complainants emphasise that this practice distorts competition in the media market and strikes at independent journalism.
“Once a newspaper is taken over by owners loyal to the government, the volume of advertising increases dramatically,” Kai-Uwe Kühn, author of the economic study and former EU official, told the Financial Times.
Mechanism of control over the media
The complaint was filed with the European Commission by Magyar Hang and another media organisation, which wished to remain anonymous. According to them, in the period from 2015 to 2023, state resources were deliberately used to increase public support for the government and marginalise critical voices.
Against this backdrop, the remaining independent press has come under enormous pressure: smear campaigns, lawsuits and constant financial starvation due to unequal access to the advertising market.
“We are constantly under attack, facing lawsuits and restrictions,” said LukácsCsaba, CEO of Magyar Hang.
EU reaction and possible consequences
The European Commission is currently assessing the complaint. However, the complainants are demanding an immediate response: “If it was any other industry, not the media, the decision would have been made much faster,” said Oliver Bretz of Euclid Law.
Meanwhile, Brussels is already looking into other violations by Budapest, including the adoption of a law on “national security protection”, which, according to the EU, restricts the right to privacy, freedom of speech and association.
The prospect of change in Hungary
The next parliamentary elections could be a serious test for Orbán: the new opposition movement Tisza, led by former Fidesz member Péter Magyar, is gaining ground. Its success in last year’s European elections has already shown that Orban’s influence is no longer unquestioned.
Given the scale of the allegations and the growing political competition, it will be increasingly difficult for Budapest to ignore Brussels’ demands – and the European Union has a chance to demonstrate that the rules are the same for everyone, regardless of political ambitions.
