On Monday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and scrutinizing foreign funding directed towards Hungarian media, following similar actions by the recent U.S. administration.
Orban expressed intentions to eliminate perceived external influences on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and critical media outlets, echoing sentiments shared by his ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump. Orban emphasized the need to counter what he described as a pervasive "corruption network" within the realms of politics and media, vowing to tackle the issue decisively with forthcoming laws.
Anticipating challenges to his leadership position by a resurgent opposition party ahead of the 2026 election, Orban hinted at forthcoming measures targeting NGOs and media entities that had received financial backing from sources such as the U.S. and billionaire George Soros.
While USAID traditionally allocates substantial funds for humanitarian endeavors, its involvement extends to various projects aimed at promoting civil society and democracy globally. Recently, USAID initiated programs in Central Europe to support grassroots initiatives that bolster democratic institutions and independent media.
Over the last 14 years, Orban has overhauled Hungary's media landscape significantly, exercising strict control over state-owned media and influencing the ownership or closure of private outlets to align with government perspectives. This tight grip on media has contributed to Orban's consecutive election victories.