Finance
Journalist Groups Condemn Hungary Over Reporters' Removal From Campaign Event
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 17, 2026
Quick Summary
International press‐freedom groups denounce Hungary’s removal of two Telex reporters from a Fidesz campaign event on March 10, calling it a “new low” ahead of April elections.
Journalist Groups Condemn Hungary Over Removal of Reporters at Campaign Event
Press Freedom Concerns Rise Ahead of Hungarian Election
Incident at Csákberény Campaign Event
BUDAPEST, March 17 (Reuters) - A leading international press freedom group has urged Hungarian authorities to investigate the forcible removal of two reporters from a campaign event, saying it marked a "new low" for Hungary in the run-up to an election.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government has long been accused by the European Union and pro-democracy groups of curbing the media, accusations which it denies, but the action taken against the reporters has led to new criticism.
Independent news site Telex filed a criminal complaint last week after the mayor of the town of Csákberény forced two of its reporters out of a campaign event on March 10 at which the main speakers were from Orban's governing Fidesz party.
Reactions from Press Freedom Organizations
The reporters' removal "while reporting on a public campaign event marks a new low and is a deeply worrying signal about press freedom in Hungary," Attila Mong, the CPJ's Europe representative, said in a statement.
"Authorities must condemn such violence, make clear that the physical obstruction of journalists has no place in an EU member state, hold those responsible to account, and guarantee that journalists can report freely in the run-up to elections."
Statements from Reporters Without Borders
Thibaut Bruttin, Director General of Reporters Without Borders, said the incident was "symptomatic of the 16-year long rule of Viktor Orban whose regime is now violently fighting for its survival."
Allowing journalists due access to political representatives and candidates was "one of the conditions for a fair election", Bruttin said.
Responses from Officials and Political Context
Csakbereny Mayor Laszlo Velkei, who was elected as an independent candidate in 2024, did not immediately reply to questions from Reuters, nor did a government spokesperson.
Orban faces the biggest challenge yet to his grip on power although opinion polls show many voters are still undecided.
State media are under full government control and several private outlets have been closed or taken over by government-friendly owners.
(Reporting by Anita Komuves, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Key Takeaways
- •Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders sharply criticized the physical removal of journalists from a public campaign event, calling it a dangerous signal for press freedom in Hungary
- •Independent outlet Telex filed a criminal complaint after its reporters were forced out by Csákberény’s mayor during a Fidesz campaign event
- •The incident underscores broader systemic restrictions on independent media under Viktor Orbán, including media consolidation, blacklist‐style laws, and EU legal actions
Frequently Asked Questions about Journalist groups condemn Hungary over reporters' removal from campaign event
1What incident led to criticism of Hungary's press freedom?
Two reporters from independent news site Telex were forcibly removed from a campaign event in Csákberény, raising concerns over press freedom.
2Who condemned the removal of journalists from the campaign event?
International groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders condemned the incident and urged an investigation.
3What was the response from Hungarian authorities about the incident?
Neither the mayor of Csákberény nor a government spokesperson replied to Reuters' questions regarding the incident.
4What has been the trend of media control under Viktor Orban's government?
State media are under government control and several private outlets have closed or transferred to government-friendly owners.
