Report Traces 'Growth Of Censorship' At Hungarian News Agency MTI

  • 4 Dec 2020 8:05 AM
  • Hungary Around the Clock
Report Traces 'Growth Of Censorship' At Hungarian News Agency MTI
The website Szabad Európa has presented a report – based on interviews conducted with former and present staff members of the state news agency MTI and on internal correspondence it has obtained – on how censorship and party control work at the news agency.

According to the article, the principal method of central control was a practical ban on independent work, notably that journalists of the news agency are firmly advised against publishing their own material, and are instead encouraged to take statements verbatim issued by pro-government politicians or reports published in pro-government media.

“The editors do not like independently written pieces, because they could contain something that is unpleasant to someone, and if they do not notice it, then it could be published that way.

Taking a statement is much safer,” a source speaking on condition of anonymity told Szabad Európa.

The same person said that, while in the past MTI might have reported what a government decision is actually about, and the impact it will have, “possibly why it is wrong”, now “we just publish what the cabinet says about it”.

Related links

Hungarian Opinion: Debate Over Free Speech & Censorship

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Around the Clock

Since 1995 Hungary Around the Clock has proven to be one of the most comprehensive sources of daily English-language news about Hungary. It covers ongoing domestic politics and foreign relations, as well as business and economic matters. For a free trial of HATC visit www.hatc.hu and click on 'Free Trial Subscription’.

  • Budget Crisis Threatens Budapest’s Public Services, City Hall Rejects Insolvency Ultimatum

    Budget Crisis Threatens Budapest’s Public Services, City Hall Rejects Insolvency Ultimatum

    • 2 Dec 2025 6:15 AM

    The financial stability of Budapest is currently at the centre of a fierce political standoff between the City Assembly and the national government. The dispute intensified this week after Mayor Gergely Karácsony and the city administration rejected a government proposal to declare the capital insolvent, an act the government had framed as a prerequisite for offering financial aid.

  • New Poll: Fidesz Ahead by 400,000 Votes If Election Held Now

    New Poll: Fidesz Ahead by 400,000 Votes If Election Held Now

    • 1 Dec 2025 3:43 PM

    If Hungary's election were held now, Fidesz would win 47 percent of the vote, up from 46 percent in August, while the opposition Tisza Party trails at 40 percent, according to a Nezopont Institute survey of 1,000 respondents conducted between Nov 24 and 26.

  • DK: 'Putin Summoned Orbán to Moscow Again'

    DK: 'Putin Summoned Orbán to Moscow Again'

    • 1 Dec 2025 5:16 AM

    "Russian President Vladimir Putin has summoned Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Moscow again to personally deliver his orders to the Hungarian prime minister," opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) deputy leader Sandor Rónai said on Friday commenting on Orbán's trip to Russia.

  • 'Budapest Pride 2.0' on Monday at Clark Adam Square Called for by Mayor

    'Budapest Pride 2.0' on Monday at Clark Adam Square Called for by Mayor

    • 28 Nov 2025 8:34 AM

    Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony announced on Thursday that he had convened an extraordinary assembly for Monday to reaffirm the "true financial situation" of the municipality. The decision will later be delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office in Buda Castle during a demonstration, he told a press conference.

Enjoy more

current affairs CHANNEL SPONSOR

Share your story

We're interested in your stories, and photos, related to expat life in Hungary. Your contributions, and Press Releases, are invited for review before publication in the loop.

Newsletter

get in & enjoy more!

XpatLoop’s newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of fresh news, special invitations, events, movies, and more.

I understand & accept the Privacy Policy