Hungary is copying Russian regulations on “foreign agents”, but they go even further

Viktor Orban has been attacking non -governmental organizations and independent media for years, which have the courage to criticize the authorities. In March, he announced that as part of “spring cleaning” he would deal with the “Army of Shadows”, including journalists and activists who, in his opinion, work for foreign powers. This brings to mind Russian regulations on “foreign agents”.

The Fidesz party announces the introduction of the controversial law “on the transparency of public life”. The draft act indicates that any foreign financing may pose a threat to sovereignty Hungarian. This also applies to EU funds for which Hungarian organizations apply for. The black list of entities whose activities are considered a threat to be created by the Sovereignty Office established in 2023. His task is to study the organization and media receiving financing from abroad.

– It's a bastard, Services of Brussels who push the Empire car for money, at the expense of our country. My dear, they are here too long. They managed to survive a lot. They received money from too many places – he said Viktor OrbanHungarian Prime Minister.

“The proposed bill is part of a broader scheme of democratic regression in Hungary, where the Orban government is increasingly attacking independent institutions and silences the voices of opposition,” says “Politico”.

The regulations assume the punishment of organizations that adopt foreign financing if, for example, they present the rule of law in Hungary in a negative light. The draft law indicates that threats to national sovereignty also include, among others, influencing public opinion or questioning the values ​​set by the state, such as Christian culture and traditional family roles. Even a justified criticism of government policy can be treated as a threat to national security.

– Our constitution, so far, assumes freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The state must provide this – indicates Péter Bárándy, former Minister of Justice of Hungary.

– It seems that these provisions were deliberately formulated in this way. They impose extremely unreal expectations, both on legal entities and journalists. It is hard for me to imagine that they can be followed – says Márton Gulayás, editor -in -chief of the Partizán portal.

80 percent of the media under government control

Currently, about 80 percent of the Hungarian media are under government control. According to the opposition and journalists, the introduction of the Act “on the transparency of public life” may enable Orban to close all independent media and non -governmental organizations involved in public affairs.

– A project in the style of the Russian Act on foreign agents is a terrifying signal that the Orban's government is ready to eliminate the last remains of independent media in Hungary in the pursuit of uncontrolled power before next year's parliamentary elections – indicates Tom Gibson from the Journalist Protection Committee.

Entities on the black list will be able to be fined in the amount of up to 25 times the amount of foreign aid. They will have to pay a fine within 15 days under the threat of blocking business. They will not be able to receive donations from 1 percent of personal income tax – a key source of financing for many organizations. Their bank accounts will be monitored.

– The authorities will be able to copy data carriers, gain access to information collected by various journalists, which is a clear threat to journalistic freedom – says András Pethő, editor -in -chief of the Direkt36 portal.

Voting on the bill is to take place next week. The regulations will most likely be adopted because Viktor Orban's party has the required majority in parliament.