Hungarian Journalist Issues Grim Forecast: 'Prepare for the Most Severe Outcome'
In a recent release, the Hungarian investigative news outlet, Direkt36, has unveiled a documentary that delves into the secret wealth of Viktor Orban, the world leader of Hungary, and his allies. The documentary is available on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and can be accessed wherever podcasts are usually found.
Viktor Orban, once praised by Steve Bannon as 'Trump before Trump,' has been under scrutiny for his government's systematic erosion of the freedom of the press in Hungary over the past decade. This erosion of press freedom is the focus of the documentary, with Andras Petho, a Hungarian journalist and co-founder of Direkt36, serving as a guest on The Kicker to discuss the issue.
Petho, known primarily as a founder of the investigative journalism platform Direkt36 in 2015, admits that he once failed to imagine the extent of the erosion of press freedom in Hungary. He warns against the temptation for journalists to turn themselves into martyrs for democracy and believes that journalists must accept the possibility that the worst is yet to come in terms of press freedom.
Petho's 2022 essay detailing lessons learned from Hungary's crackdown on a free press is also available to read. In the essay, he reflects on the fall of Origo, a once-audacious newsmagazine that faced difficulties in Hungary, and the erosion of press freedom that has taken place over the years. He warns against the dangers of corporate news leaders succumbing to pressure from their administration, a situation that may feel familiar to Americans watching similar events unfold.
The documentary by Direkt36 is available with English subtitles, making it accessible to a global audience. The documentary and Petho's essay serve as powerful reminders of the importance of a free and independent press in a democratic society.
