Local Opinion: Government Side Accuses Facebook Of Censorship

  • 9 Oct 2018 12:42 PM
  • BudaPost
Local Opinion: Government Side Accuses Facebook Of Censorship
After the Facebook account of a pro-government journalist was suspended, an MP of the Christian Democrats claimed that Facebook content-screening in Hungary is overseen by an NGO ‘funded by (Hungarian-born US financier and philanthropist) George Soros.’

888 editor Gábor G. Fodor published a meme featuring President Macron of France with two young dark-skinned men, one of whom is not wearing a shirt, juxtaposed with a photo of PM Orbán of Hungary with his grandson in his arms.

The headline runs ‘Macron or Orbán? You choose.’ A colleague of G. Fodor’s published the meme on his Facebook site, whereupon his FB account was frozen, as the meme was found to be in contradiction of Facebook rules.

MTI, the official Hungarian news agency carries a statement by Christian Democrat MP István Hollik who expresses the fear that political censorship by Facebook will intensify as the European parliamentary elections approach.

He claims that Facebook commissioned a Soros-funded NGO to screen FB content in Hungary. Mr Hollik does not mention the organisation by name. He remarked, however, that liberal organisations which often accuse the government of stifling press freedom, take every opportunity to do so themselves.

This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online Click here to Share Your Story 

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

BudaPost

Launched in May 2011 to provide a balanced picture of matters covered in Hungary’s national press. Their aim is to make it easier for English-speakers to understand where this country is now and where it’s heading according to the full spectrum of media opinions.