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March 13, 2026 – Hungary –
Press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has warned that Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election could have far-reaching consequences for media freedom both within the country and across Europe. The organization announced a mission to Hungary in mid-March, one month before voters head to the polls, to assess the state of the media environment and advocate for protections for independent journalism.
The RSF delegation is scheduled to visit Budapest on March 16 and 17, meeting with journalists, editors, civil society groups, and policymakers to evaluate the conditions in which the country’s media operate. According to the organization, the vote scheduled for April 12 will be a decisive moment that could influence the future of press freedom not only in Hungary but also across the wider European landscape.
RSF officials say the mission comes amid growing concerns that independent journalism in Hungary has been significantly weakened over the past decade. The group argues that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has developed a powerful pro-government media network that dominates much of the country’s information landscape. Although journalists are rarely imprisoned or physically attacked, RSF says the government has relied on political pressure, economic leverage, and regulatory measures to marginalize independent outlets.
Hungary’s decline in global press freedom rankings reflects these concerns. The country has fallen sharply in the RSF World Press Freedom Index over the past fifteen years, dropping from one of the highest-ranked EU states to a much lower position, with analysts citing increasing political influence over media ownership and editorial independence.
According to RSF Director General Thibaut Bruttin, the election represents a pivotal moment because the strategies used in Hungary to consolidate control over media have increasingly been studied or replicated by political actors in other regions. He warned that the outcome of the vote could determine whether current trends continue or whether new reforms could strengthen the independence and sustainability of journalism in the country.
Despite the challenges, RSF acknowledged that independent media outlets in Hungary continue to operate and maintain significant audiences. However, the organization cautioned that many of these outlets face persistent economic pressures, political hostility, and regulatory obstacles that threaten their long-term survival.
Through its mission, RSF aims to highlight these concerns and promote measures that would protect media pluralism and ensure journalists can work freely regardless of the election’s outcome. The organization emphasized that safeguarding independent journalism is essential for democratic accountability and informed public debate during a critical political moment for Hungary and Europe.
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