UN official raise concern over lack of press freedom in Hungary

The United Nations’ top expert on freedom of opinion and expression expressed concerns about a “distorted media environment” in Hungary, saying on Monday that reporting around elections due next year must be fair and impartial.

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UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan also told reporters during a visit to Budapest that the “freedom of expression which political candidates have should not be abused to create a toxic environment of violence (and) hatred”.

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Allies of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party control large parts of Hungary’s private media, while the public media largely serves as a government mouthpiece. Dozens of newspapers and broadcasters that had criticised Orban have changed hands in recent years.

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His government has repeatedly denied undermining press freedom. It did not respond to emailed Reuters questions on Monday.

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