Thousands Rally in Budapest Against State Media Propaganda

Budapest, October 5, 2024 — In a significant display of dissent, thousands of Hungarians gathered outside the headquarters of state broadcaster MTVA on Saturday, demanding an end to what they described as the government’s “propaganda machine.” The protest was organized by the opposition TISZA party, which claims that the state media has become a tool for disseminating biased narratives that primarily benefit Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government.

Demonstrators waved Hungarian flags and displayed banners with messages like “Stop Propaganda,” while chanting slogans such as “We are not afraid” and “We’ve had enough.” This latest rally, led by the dynamic political newcomer Peter Magyar, marks a pivotal moment for TISZA, which has emerged as the most formidable challenge to Orban’s Fidesz party since it took power in 2010.

“We have had enough of the malice, the lies, the propaganda; our patience has run out,” Magyar declared to the assembled crowd. He called for the public service media to broadcast the protest “unedited,” emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in media reporting.

Recent polls indicate that TISZA has garnered approximately 39% voter support, closely trailing Fidesz, which stands at 43%. With elections on the horizon in early 2026, Magyar is capitalizing on rising frustrations among voters regarding the government’s handling of the economy, which is just beginning to recover from a significant inflation crisis. He has vowed to address corruption, restore democratic oversight, and revitalize public service media, which many critics argue has been reduced to a mere mouthpiece for the ruling party.

The situation in Hungary’s media landscape has drawn international concern. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, highlighted the increasingly “distorted media environment” in Hungary, where questions of pluralism and independence have become pressing issues. While the government denies any attempts to undermine press freedom, the reality remains that much of the private media is owned and controlled by allies of the Fidesz party.

As Hungary grapples with these pressing issues, the rally reflects a growing demand for change and accountability in the nation’s media practices. For ongoing updates and insights into this developing story, follow @dark_web24 on Twitter.