Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000230/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pina Picierno (S&D), Giorgio Gori (S&D), Camilla Laureti (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D)
Recent reports indicate that Hungary’s state security agency, the Constitution Protection Office, interrogated the independent newspaper Magyar Hang’s journalist Tamás Koncz, editor Lukács Csaba and editor-in-chief György Zsombor, and subjected them to polygraph tests.
Despite requests, records of the questioning and test results have been withheld and the investigation appears to intrude into private matters.
Although the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union have repeatedly found Hungary guilty of violating media freedom, the polygraph interrogation of Magyar Hang’s employees is an unprecedented action that exacerbates fears of governmental overreach and intimidation towards the media.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this incident involving Magyar Hang journalists and does it consider this a violation of EU values under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union?
- 2.What steps is the Commission taking to monitor and address the increasing threats to media freedom in Hungary, particularly in the light of this and other recent incidents?
- 3.Will the Commission consider launching or expanding infringement proceedings against Hungary for systemic breaches of the rule of law and fundamental rights?
Submitted: 20.1.2025