Dozens of editors in Europe demand the elimination of a law of the Viktor Orban government that threatens the press and civilian organizations in Hungary / Appeal to the EU
Over 80 European press institutions have signed a petition requesting the elimination of the Hungarian draft law that aims to restrict the foreign financing of the media and organizations for the defense of democratic rights, a measure that critics say is meant to stifle criticism to the government, writes Reuters.
A draft law presented last week by the Fidesz Nationalist Party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban provides for the preparation of an entities that receive foreign funding and limiting or closing them if the Government decides that they threaten Hungary and its culture.
The signators of the petition, published on Tuesday, said that Fidesz “adopts the same authoritarian tactics as those found” in Russia under the presidency of Vladimir Putin. In 2012, Russia has adopted a law that allows the authorities to label as “foreign agents” the NGOs with foreign funding involved in political activities.
“The draft law is drafted in such vague terms that it could be practically applied to any organization involved in public life or debates – which includes independent media institutions and also groups for human rights,” says the petition.
The signatories said that the survival of a free press is both an internal Hungarian and European problem, “especially in a region in which an increasing number of populist leaders adopt the methods of Viktor Orban.”
The petition was signed, among others, by 84 chief editors from The Guardian in the UK, Liberation in France, Poland Gazeta, Austria, SME in Slovakia, Hospodarske Novin, Hotnews, Rise Project, Context, Recorder and Átlátszó Erdély.
They urge their governments and institutions to make efforts to prevent the adoption of the law, stating that it contravenes both EU treaties and fundamental rights.
The vote for the draft law is scheduled for the middle of June. Approval is probable, because Fidesz holds the absolute majority in Parliament.
What Viktor Orban is preparing
The draft law comes, after in March, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban committed to reduce the foreign financing of the independent press, opposition politicians and NGOs, intensifying their campaign before the 2026 elections, when he will face an unprecedented challenge from a new opposition party that has grown quickly.
According to the draft law, the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty will be empowered to draw up a list of foreign legal entities whose activities are considered a threat.
Organizations that receive foreign funding, targeted by a draft law introduced in Hungary. Their activity may be forbidden
These could be included on the list if the office considers that their activities “undermine the independent, democratic and based on the rule of law of Hungary” or violates the constitutional identity or the Christian culture of Hungary.
The challenge of the primacy of marriage, family and biological sexes is among the facts considered a threat, based on the draft law.
The organizations on the list will have the monitored bank accounts, and the funds from abroad considered a threat can be blocked.
If the draft law is adopted, the authorities will be able to enter the headquarters of the organizations and examine their documents and electronic devices.
If an organization accepts money from abroad, it must pay a fine 25 times higher than the actual financing received. If they cannot pay the fine within 15 days, they must cease their activity, it is shown in the project.
With the knife around the neck
In a discussion with Hotnews, Róbert László, an expert of the political capital, which can be targeted by this law, has expressed its fears about the measures that could follow.
“I had a law on foreign agents in 2016 or 2017, who said that if you have foreign funding, you have to label as such. But nothing happened, there were no punishments or problems with the tax authorities. But this time I think it will be something more radical,” he said.
Interview as he arrived in Budapest Campaign for presidentials in Romania. “I think Viktor Orbán made a huge mistake.”
“What Viktor Orbán has learned is that we have to remove the rest of the independent press, the rest of the NGOs and civil voices and that we must lead the public discourse not only with 80%, but with 100%,” continued the expert.
László stressed that he cannot know how the law will use the law.
“Perhaps the next day, police officers and officials of the tax authority will appear in the offices of all independent media. There is also a scenario in which they will not use the tool, but will only intimidate and use this in the public discourse,” he said.
“These are all realistic scenarios and I can't tell you what will happen, but the main thing is that all those who are not loyal to the government feel the knife around the neck and feel that everything can happen the next day and we cannot sleep peacefully,” concluded the expert.
