Ukraine Prohibits Hungarian Media Outlets due to Accusations of Russian Propaganda Broadcasting
In a move that has sparked international controversy, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has blocked 15 online media outlets from Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and Greece. The decision, made by the SBU itself, was likely under the direction of Ukrainian government authorities aiming to counter foreign propaganda.
Andras Bencsik, editor-in-chief of Demokrata, one of the affected Hungarian outlets, found the move infuriating and outrageous. Bencsik believes that since they, like Origo, are unwilling to take part in the war hysteria, they were banned.
Bencsik has been vocal about his opinions regarding Ukraine, stating that the country is a rotten, corrupt dictatorship. He argues that Ukraine has banned opposition parties and opposition press, tramping on democracy and freedom of speech. Bencsik also claimed that the West has ignored the cruelties committed against indigenous minorities in Ukraine and turned a blind eye to the dismantling of freedom of speech in the country.
The platforms were accused of spreading disinformation about alleged 'terrorist activities' of Ukrainians, mocking support for Ukraine, portraying the EU and NATO as divided and ineffective, criticizing sanctions policy, and circulating conspiracy theories. However, Bencsik compared the move to the immoral and unlawful measures taken by the Zelenskyy regime to suppress dissent.
The Hungarian-language outlets affected include Origo, Demokrata, Vdtablog, Szilaj Csikó, Pravda Magyarország, News Front, Bal-Rad, and Hirlistazo. Bencsik stated that the Hungarians of Transcarpathia will still find them on Facebook.
Pravda Romania, Flux24, Sputnik Moldova-România, TopWar, Rezistenta, the official site of the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova (pcrm.md), and Greece's 902.gr, the portal of the Communist Party of Greece, were also blocked.
Bencsik's podcasts are available online, unless they are banned in the future. Despite the setback, Bencsik remains undeterred, vowing to continue his work in promoting free speech and challenging the status quo.
