Thousands of Hungarians protest press freedom

“Index stood for freedom of press and ideas. The emptiness he leaves will never fill another medium”, says Bálint Honos. The new Hungarian is one of about 10,000 people who protested in Budapest in Friday evening against the government's influence on the country's largest independent media. Luca Yell is also among the demonstrators. The first thing I do in the morning is read Index”, he says. “I'm very sad about what's going on here.” The protest column was formed in the vicinity of the Index editorial. From there protesters continued their way along the Danube to the prime minister's headquarters, Victor Orban. On your way, cheer up for the work of portal journalists and calls for solidarity. “We are with you”, “Use free, free media”.

More than 80 Index journalists resign

The reason for the protest relates to the departure of Index editor Szabolcs Dull on Wednesday (22.7.20). At the end of June, he had published an article warning from increasing influence on the Index of nearby owners. On Wednesday in farewell, Dull said that “Index is a fortress, which they want to destroy.” After Dull left the post, Index's editorial was solidified with the editor-in-chief and demanded his return to office. But the directors did not respond. On Friday, more than 80 journalists offered to leave the post, as well as deputy editor-in-chief Veronica Munk. She said she would create a new medium with former editors of the “Index”>

The Effort for Influence Lasts for Years

With about 1.5 Millions of page clicks a day, to a population of 10 million people, Index is the most read medium in Hungary. For years, the government of Orban has been trying to influence the critical report made to the government by internet portal. Three years ago this portal came under the ownership of nearby owners with Viktor Orban's party, Fidesz. An established foundation should guarantee Index's independence. But in March the advertising business broke away from the portal and was brought under the control of the owners. A month ago, owners asked the foundation, the board of directors and editorials for a more friendly report to the government, which led to the collapse with editor-in-chief, Dull and finally with all the editorials.

The Under Influence of Critical Media Has Tradition

In recent years, the government of Orban has brought nearly all critical media under control. Analysts estimate that nearly 90% of the media are under government control. Critics fear, that Index will be placed entirely on the government line, according to a known model: Initially, owners close to the Fidesz party government buy critical media. Later they are either brought to the party line, Fidesz or closed. In 2015, the owner, Portal Origo, known as critical of the government today, was considered a spokesman for the Orban government. A year later overnight, the largest Hungarian daily newspaper Népszabadság was closed. Public radiovision has remained under state control since 2010. Most of the radios and private televisions are owned by owners close to Fidesz. On the list of press freedom of “Border-free Reporters”, Hungary ranks 89th out of 180 countries. /dw/