Hungary’s opposition leader, Péter Magyar, organized a protest against the government’s control of the public media network. Thousands gathered outside the media corporation’s headquarters to decry what they see as propaganda funded by taxpayers. Magyar, head of the TISZA party, has emerged as a serious political challenge to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, criticizing the damage done to Hungary’s democracy by the ruling party’s “propaganda factory.” Critics warn that press freedom in the country is under threat, with Orbán’s party controlling 80% of the media market. Protesters like Balázs Tömpe and Ágnes Gera expressed frustration at the one-sided government propaganda in public media. Magyar demanded the resignation of the public media director and called for further demonstrations on Hungary’s national holiday in October. International media watchdogs have also raised concerns about Hungary’s media landscape. The protest highlights growing discontent with the lack of diverse voices in the country’s media and the need for greater press freedom. As tensions escalate, Hungary’s political future remains uncertain.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
Hungarians protest for increased press freedom outside MTVA, known as a “propaganda factory”
