Media Suppression: Closure of Népszabadság and Magyar Nemzet
Two leading independent newspapers closed after exposés on ministerial luxury trips and Orbán criticism. Signals end of media pluralism.
Key Figures
- Rogán Antal (miniszter / minister)
- Simicska Lajos (médiatulajdonos / media owner)
- Viktor Orbán
Impact
90% pro-government media, collapse of independent press
In 2016, Népszabadság, Hungary's largest independent daily, suddenly closed after publishing exposés on Antal Rogán's luxury trips. In 2018, Magyar Nemzet, a conservative but critical paper, shut down after owner Lajos Simicska fell out with Orbán.
These closures were part of a media control strategy. By 2017, after media sales and ownership transfers, 90% of Hungarian media became pro-government. In 2018, over 400 pro-government media assets were consolidated in the Central European Press and Media Foundation for a 'right-wing agenda.'
Critical journalists lost jobs, advertising revenue dried up for opposition outlets, and new independent ventures (like Telex, 444) fled online. This systematically destroyed Hungarian media independence.