TV2’s new ownership contested

As two rival tycoons claim to have bought Hungary’s number two commercial television company, analysts tried to disentangle the legal maze surrounding the matter.

Political demonstration by Austrian theatre

Conservative commentators deplore a political statement read out by an actor of Vienna'a Burgtheater in Budapest after a performance of Chekhov’s Seagull at the annual international festival in Hungary’s National Theatre. Left-wing analysts are divided.

On the state of Hungarian media

A conservative political scientist contends that ‘gonzo’ journalism has become dominant in left-leaning media. A Marxist philosopher adds that mainstream media, both Left and Right unwittingly help Jobbik. A liberal commentator recommends that public media should be completely closed down since they always serve the interests of the governing side. ...

Jobbik increases its support

Commentators both on Left and Right believe that the campaign by media mogul Lajos Simicska against Fidesz has helped Jobbik to increase its popularity.

Simicska accuses Orbán of informing on him in Communist era

Commentators are predominantly sceptical about the allegation that PM Orbán was recruited by the communist secret services during his military service in 1982.

Wake up call from Magyar Nemzet

The number one right-wing daily continues its campaign for change in the wake of the two main events of the past month – the open rift between its owner and the Prime Minister on the one hand and Fidesz’s defeat in the Veszprém by-election on the other.

Should Fidesz fear Jobbik?

As Fidesz’ support declines and Jobbik’s base strengthens, pundits from across the political spectrum wonder if and how Fidesz should react to the emerging radical right-wing challenge.

Further ruminations on Simicska

A pro-government analyst suspects that media mogul Lajos Simicska, a former friend and close ally of PM Orbán may have orchestrated the recent campaign against government politicians. Left-wing columnists wonder if Mr Simicska should now be seen as a reborn democrat, or an oligarch defending his financial interests.

Will Simicska wage his media war on his own?

Commentators wonder how far the feud between Prime Minister Orbán and his former friend and treasurer will go, and what impact it will have on the main right-wing media outlets which are ultimately owned by the latter.

Simicska bitterly opposed to 5 per cent advertising tax

The dailies build long stories around one single sentence uttered by the owner of Magyar Nemzet and HírTV, according to which any increase in the ads tax to be paid by most media outlets will lead to “a total media war.” (According to estimates, this would mean an increase from ...