Thousands gathered in Budapest last weekend to celebrate what supporters called a turning point in Hungarian politics, as attention turns to what the next leader will inherit from Viktor Orbán's two-decade rule.
The departing prime minister built an extensive media ecosystem that critics describe as a propaganda machine, with state-controlled outlets reaching millions of Hungarian households daily.
Balasz, a 42-year-old financial analyst who gave only his first name, described the impact on his great-grandmother, an 80-year-old resident of a rural town in Hungary's deprived eastern region. He said she has consumed little but state media for the past decade.
Throughout Orbán's re-election campaign, media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted opposition candidate Péter Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, arguing he would drag Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.
Balasz said he was shocked by what he called the extremity of the lies his great-grandmother was told each day — that if Magyar won, Hungarian men would be conscripted, the economy would collapse, and a third world war would surely follow.
What the Right Is Saying
Fidesz supporters and government officials defend the media ecosystem as representing Hungarian interests and values. They argue that state media reflects the views of a majority of Hungarian citizens who support Orbán's policies.
Government spokespersons have rejected accusations of propaganda, noting that public broadcasters serve taxpayers and should reflect national priorities rather than opposition viewpoints.
Conservative commentators argue that Magyar's position on Ukraine would endanger Hungarian security and that the Fidesz media coverage accurately reflected legitimate concerns about potential foreign entanglements.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive analysts and opposition supporters argue that dismantling Orbán's media structure is essential for Hungary's democratic future. They point to the concentration of media ownership in hands close to Fidesz as a fundamental problem.
Human rights organizations have long documented concerns about media pluralism in Hungary, with Reporters Without Borders ranking the country near the bottom of EU member states for press freedom.
Supporters of Magyar say the next government must restore editorial independence to public broadcasters and create a truly diverse media landscape. They argue that voters deserve access to balanced information, particularly on issues of war and peace.
What the Numbers Show
Hungary's media landscape has undergone significant consolidation under Orbán. International press freedom organizations estimate that Fidesz-aligned entities control the majority of Hungary's print media and all national television channels.
The European Union has repeatedly raised concerns about media pluralism in Hungary, with the European Commission initiating infringement procedures over violations of audiovisual media services directives.
Public opinion surveys show that trust in state media remains high among older voters in rural areas, while younger urban populations increasingly turn to independent outlets and social media for news.
The Bottom Line
The next Hungarian leader will face the challenge of addressing a media system that critics say has been weaponized for political purposes. Whether dismantling or reforming this infrastructure will be possible remains to be seen, particularly given the institutional entrenchment of Fidesz-aligned media. The coming months will test whether Hungary can restore media pluralism while navigating complex geopolitical pressures and a divided electorate.