Analysis
Information Sovereignty
Domestic and Foreign Interference? Poland Plans to Prevent Hostile TV Takeovers After Romanian Elections – QUICK TAKE
12 December 2024
16 February 2021
After Klubrádió’s fate has been sealed, Polish journalists have an opportunity to share with Hungarian colleagues their know-how to crowdfund a new internet radio station successfully. While Budapest and Warsaw differ in their approach to subjugate the media, they require a common set of responses.
Do not confuse the road towards taking over and monopolising the Polish media market with the Hungarian one. Yet, they both may result in a complete subordination of the majority of media outlets.
Viktor Orbán also subjugated state broadcasters and news agencies. He punished independent titles, depriving them among others of revenues from advertising and public announcements. Already in 2014, he began by conquering the regional media.
The system is now being brought to completion: on Monday 15 February, the last major independent radio will disappear from the air. This is another triumph of Fidesz in the war with journalists.