The War On News

How governments have limited journalists, 1900 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.

8 incidents match this view.

Country: Hungary, RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180

Continent: Europe

Tactic: Funding and ownership pressure (4) Licensing and closure of outlets (2) Access bans (1) Official labels (1) Surveillance and subpoenas (1) Insult and defamation laws (1)

Stage: Pressure (3) Punish (3) Silence (2)

Outcome: Sustained (3) Ongoing (2) Reversed (1) Upheld by a court (1) Unknown (1)

Level: National (7) Municipal (1)

Head of government: Viktor Orban

DateIncidentCountryTacticHead of governmentOutcome
March 10, 2026Hungary: a ruling-party mayor forcibly removes Telex reporters from a campaign eventHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Access bansViktor OrbanOngoing (March 10, 2026)
December 20, 2023Hungary: National Sovereignty Protection Act and Sovereignty Protection Office, December 2023Hungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Official labelsViktor OrbanReversed (June 30, 2026)
July 2021Hungary: investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi's phone is infected with Pegasus spywareHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasViktor OrbanOngoing (July 1, 2021)
February 14, 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 (September 1, 2021)
July 24, 2020Hungary: editor fired and staff resign at Index.huHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Funding and ownership pressureViktor OrbanSustained (July 24, 2020)
March 30, 2020Hungary criminalizes false coronavirus information and grants Orban decree powersHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Insult and defamation lawsViktor OrbanUnknown
November 29, 2018Hungary: formation of the KESMA pro-government media foundationHungary (RSF 2026 rank: 74th of 180)Funding and ownership pressureViktor OrbanSustained (November 29, 2018)
December 21, 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 (January 1, 2011)
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