Fact check: Is there an Hungarian newspaper that follows good journalistic practices and does not overly pursue an agenda?

1. Summary of the results

The search for a Hungarian newspaper following good journalistic practices without pursuing an agenda reveals a complex and challenging media landscape. While there are some independent news organizations like Telex, Klubrádió, Átlátszó, and Partizán attempting to provide quality journalism through crowdfunding and audience support ^[1], approximately 90% of Hungarian media outlets are under government control under Prime Minister Viktor Orban's administration ^[2]. Hungary ranks 72nd globally in press freedom, second worst in the EU ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements need to be considered:

• The media control system in Hungary has been systematically implemented through:
• Constitutional changes to media regulations
• Government control of regulatory bodies
• Consolidation under pro-government foundations
• Forced removal of independent journalists
• Surveillance and intimidation tactics ^[3]
• Independent media faces geographical limitations, being mostly concentrated in Budapest with limited reach outside the capital ^[2]
• There are ongoing efforts to preserve independent journalism, such as the Budapest Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), which has been working since 1995 to support public interest journalism and maintain professional standards ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question assumes the possibility of finding completely unbiased journalism, which may be oversimplified given Hungary's current media landscape:

• While some sources claim Hungarian journalism remains "diverse and independent" ^[5], extensive evidence suggests systematic undermining of media freedom ^[3]
• The transformation of Hungarian media control has been compared to Soviet-era methods ^[6], indicating a more severe situation than the question implies
• Those benefiting from the current system include:
• The government under Viktor Orban, maintaining control through media regulations
• Pro-government foundations and media outlets receiving state support
• Government loyalists in regulatory bodies ^{[3] [6]}

The question of finding an unbiased Hungarian newspaper should therefore be reframed to acknowledge these systematic challenges to press freedom and the complex power dynamics at play in Hungary's media landscape.