The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party, has submitted a new legislative proposal that critics describe as an aggressive assault on press freedom and civil society.

The bill, submitted just before midnight on May 13, 2023, allows the Szuverenitásvédelmi Hivatal (Sovereignty Protection Office) to compile a list of organizations deemed to threaten Hungary's sovereignty through their activities.

Organizations on this list could face financial sanctions and restrictions on funding.

Since taking power in 2010, the Fidesz government has been accused of systematically undermining independent media and critical voices.

Analysts suggest that the latest proposal is a culmination of years of efforts to dismantle dissenting media outlets, particularly targeting influential platforms such as Index.hu and Origo.hu.

Observers note that the law appears strategically timed in response to shifting political climates.

Dr. Klára Dobrev, a member of the Democratic Coalition and a European Parliament representative, characterized the proposed legislation as a recognition that Fidesz can maintain its power only by dividing the nation.

She claims the legislation could label dissenters as traitors, which further politicizes the legal landscape.

Opposition figures, including Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of Budapest, have articulated strong opposition to the bill.

In a video, he stated that the proposed law would severely hamper independent media and human rights organizations in Hungary, potentially depriving them of crucial funding like personal income tax donations, micro-donations, and EU financial support.

Reports from various civil society organizations and the Hungarian Journalists' Association (MÚOSZ) have echoed concerns about the law's provisions, which they argue are crafted to facilitate arbitrary government actions against dissent.

The MÚOSZ characterized the proposal as a total assault on independent journalism, warning that its passage would contradict Hungary’s constitutional commitment to press freedom.

The legislative proposal has elicited significant backlash from both local and international observers.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed deep concern over what they see as a framework to silence the last remnants of independent media in Hungary, suggesting the law is aligned with authoritarian practices seen in other nations, such as Russia.

Demonstrations against the proposed law have taken place, with activists urging citizens to oppose the legislation through various forms of protest.

Gergely Karácsony has urged the European Commission to intervene, seeking a suspension of the law should it pass through Parliament.

As the political landscape in Hungary continues to evolve, this latest legislative proposal has underscored a growing tension surrounding freedom of expression and the role of civil society in maintaining democratic governance.