Europe’s largest union of journalists has demanded an apology from Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán after he characterized reporters as “bugs” and threatened a “clean up” of the media and other sectors.
The veteran populist prime minister last weekend said he intends to crack down on a so-called “shadow army” of journalists, NGOs, and judges that he claims are representing foreign interests.
On Wednesday, the European Federation of Journalists – representing nearly 300,000 media professionals across the continent – gave its backing to Hungarian organizations that said Orbán’s language “undermines human dignity.”
MÚOSZ, the Hungarian National Association of Journalists, warned that such rhetoric could spread and urged the country’s politicians to distance themselves from “those that describe people or groups of people as insects, worms or rats.”
“Hate speech is a crime,” the association said. “The Prime Minister is bound by his oath to serve all Hungarians. He cannot call anyone an insect.
“Language is a dangerous weapon, and abusing it is not a mistake, but a crime.”
On Wednesday, the European Federation of Journalists – representing nearly 300,000 media professionals across the continent – gave its backing to Hungarian organizations that said Orbán’s language “undermines human dignity.”
MÚOSZ, the Hungarian National Association of Journalists, warned that such rhetoric could spread and urged the country’s politicians to distance themselves from “those that describe people or groups of people as insects, worms or rats.”
“Hate speech is a crime,” the association said. “The Prime Minister is bound by his oath to serve all Hungarians. He cannot call anyone an insect.
“Language is a dangerous weapon, and abusing it is not a mistake, but a crime.”
Crackdown on foreign-funded media
Speaking to supporters in a rally on Saturday, 61-year-old Orbán said it was time for a “clean up.”
He has already announced plans to crack down on publications and NGOs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – which is now being dismantled by Donald Trump’s U.S. government – and Budapest-born billionaire George Soros, a supporter of liberal causes.
Such laws have been passed or are being considered by governments in other countries, such as Georgia.
“After today's celebrations, comes the big Easter cleaning up as the bugs have survived the winter,” Orbán said. “We will eliminate the whole shadow army.”
The prime minister, who has been in power since 2010, has overseen a steep decline in press freedom and media pluralism in Hungary, with analysts saying that around 80% of outlets have ties to his Fidesz party.
Reporters Without Borders says that Orbán “has built a true media empire subject to his party’s orders,” with independent media “subject to political, economic, and regulatory pressures.”
Last month, the president of the European Federation of Journalists, called on the European Union to sanction member states such as Hungary that are “pursuing a policy of dismantling the rule of law.”
“It is no longer just a question of defending press freedom and pluralism, but of defending democracy wherever it is in danger.”
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