The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Search in Hungary, head of government Viktor Orban

The number of entries reflects the depth of this record, not the severity of a country's conduct.

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CountryHungary, RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180
ContinentEurope
TacticFunding and ownership pressure 4Licensing and closure of outlets 2Access bans 1Official labels 1Surveillance and subpoenas 1Insult and defamation laws 1
StagePressure 3Punish 3Silence 2
OutcomeSustained 3Ongoing 2Reversed 1Upheld by a court 1Unknown 1
LevelNational 7Municipal 1
Head of governmentViktor Orban

8 incidents match this view.

TableCardsCSVJSONMarkdown
DateIncidentCountryTacticHead of governmentOutcome
10 March 2026Hungary: a ruling-party mayor forcibly removes Telex reporters from a campaign eventHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Access bansViktor OrbanOngoing (10 March 2026)
20 December 2023Hungary: National Sovereignty Protection Act and Sovereignty Protection Office, December 2023Hungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Official labelsViktor OrbanReversed (30 June 2026)
July 2021Hungary: investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi's phone is infected with Pegasus spywareHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasViktor OrbanOngoing (1 July 2021)
14 February 2021Hungary: Klubradio loses its terrestrial broadcast license over its tender applicationHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Licensing and closure of outletsViktor OrbanUpheld by a court (1 September 2021)
24 July 2020Hungary: editor fired and staff resign at Index.huHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Funding and ownership pressureViktor OrbanSustained (24 July 2020)
30 March 2020Hungary criminalizes false coronavirus information and grants Orban decree powersHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Insult and defamation lawsViktor OrbanUnknown
29 November 2018Hungary: formation of the KESMA pro-government media foundationHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Funding and ownership pressureViktor OrbanSustained (29 November 2018)
21 December 2010Hungary's parliament gives a government-appointed media council power to fine outlets for unbalanced coverageHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Funding and ownership pressureViktor OrbanSustained (1 January 2011)
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