Thousands of protesters gathered outside of Hungary’s public media corporation headquarters on Saturday to demonstrate against what they have deemed a “propaganda factory” operated by a nationalist government at taxpayer expense.
The protest was organized by Hungary’s most prominent opposition figure, Péter Magyar, along with his TISZA party, which has emerged as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s most significant opposition as of yet. It received almost 30% of the vote in European Union elections this summer, and is polling within a few points of Fidesz at present.
“What is happening here in Hungary in 2024, and calling itself ‘public service’ media, is a global scandal,” Magyar spoke before the crowd. “Enough of the nastiness, enough of the lies, enough of the propaganda. Our patience has run out. The time for confrontation has come.”
Fidesz is said to have used media buyouts by government-connected business tycoons to build a pro-government media empire.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders estimates that such buyouts have given Orbán’s party control of some 80% of Hungary’s media market resources.
Magyar demanded the resignation of the public media director, and echoed complaints from many opposition politicians that they are not provided the opportunity to appear on public television to communicate with voters, reports the AP.
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