US EditionHungary Postpones 'Russian-Style Foreign Agent Law’ - Worthy Christian News
- Hungary's ruling Fidesz party postponed a parliamentary vote on a foreign funding transparency bill on Wednesday, delaying it until autumn amid protests in Budapest.
- The bill, submitted in mid-May by Fidesz, aims to blacklist and financially restrict media and NGOs receiving foreign funds, drawing comparisons to Russian-style laws and triggering EU warnings.
- The Sovereignty Protection Office would have powers to block foreign funding, impose fines up to 25 times the amount received, and potentially close repeat offenders, threatening independent media sustainability.
- Over 90 editors from European media outlets urged the EU to reject the bill, warning that it endangers fundamental principles of press independence and diversity, while Amnesty International hailed the postponement as an important achievement.
- The delay reflects internal concerns over EU retaliation under Article 7 and public backlash, but the Hungarian government vows to continue pursuing legislation that critics say undermines democracy ahead of 2026 elections.
18 Articles
18 Articles
The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is not giving up on its intention to restrict the activities of civil society organizations, which he has repeatedly said he considers an extension of American billionaire George Soros and the administration in Brussels, and thus opponents of his policies.
Hungary Postpones 'Russian-Style Foreign Agent Law’ - Worthy Christian News
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s ruling party has delayed a planned vote on Russian-style legislation that would fine and potentially ban foreign-funded media and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) deemed a “threat” to Hungarian sovereignty and culture. Wednesday’s announced decision followed weeks of protests, including Tuesday in Budapest and the European Union’s threat…
Hungarian minister calls for safeguards in contested transparency bill
BUDAPEST - A Hungarian government minister said on Thursday that a new transparency bill targeting foreign-funded groups must not be used for political prosecution and should contain safeguards, highlighting differences within the ruling party over the plan. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The reform carried out by Viktor Orban's party has been openly copied along the lines of the law in force in Russia. It has been condemned by hundreds of NGOs and independent media, and has given rise to several demonstrations in recent weeks.
The bill on ‘Transparency in Public Life’, introduced by the ruling Fidesz party in the Hungarian Parliament, has been met with a harsh reaction from the European Commission. The bill, which proposes sanctions for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that receive foreign funding, has disturbed EU officials.
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