A recent study conducted by Századvég indicates that a significant majority of Hungarian citizens oppose foreign-funded media, journalists, and political organizations trying to influence the nation’s public life.

The research was initiated in light of a new legislative proposal presented to the Hungarian parliament aimed at increasing transparency in public affairs.

The proposal seeks to establish a registry for organizations suspected of threatening Hungary’s sovereignty through foreign financial support.

The legislative proposal titled 'On the Transparency of Public Life' would enable the government to list foreign-funded organizations that engage in activities deemed harmful to Hungary's sovereignty based on recommendations from the Sovereignty Protection Authority.

Organizations listed would face restrictions, such as needing approval from anti-money laundering authorities to receive foreign funding, disqualification from tax donation programs, and mandatory wealth declarations for their leaders and board members.

Public sentiment, as reported in the survey, shows a strong rejection of all forms of foreign political influence aimed at Hungary, including via foreign-funded political figures and media.

The survey revealed that 62% of respondents hold negative views about foreign-funded political organizations and activists, while 57% expressed similar sentiments towards foreign-funded Hungarian media and journalists.

Conversely, 24% viewed foreign-funded political organizations positively, and 30% had a favorable opinion of foreign-funded media.

Significant attention has been drawn to recent developments in international discourse concerning foreign interference.

Many respondents reported awareness of the financial support provided by the Biden administration through USAID to journalists, media outlets, and political organizations in Hungary, with 73% acknowledging this occurrence.

Between 2022 and February 2025, USAID reportedly allocated approximately 3.5 billion HUF for such activities, while the European Commission allocated around 19.5 billion HUF for organizations working in Hungary to exert political influence.

Furthermore, the survey indicated that two-thirds of participants (66%) agree that no foreign country or political organization should pay Hungarian journalists or media to create content that undermines the current government, identifying this as an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.

The proposed transparency legislation also responds to the potential shift in funding sources, as recent reports suggest that the European Union might take over financial support for the relevant organizations following the cessation of USAID funds.

Concerns have been raised that these funds may be aimed at promoting political stances that prioritize foreign military or political interests over Hungary’s own.

The European Commission's funding programs are set to continue until the end of the 2021-2027 budget cycle, with further disbursements expected to influence political conditions in Hungary.

Notably, Daniel Freund, a German MEP from the Greens party, publicly stated that the EU has an obligation to fill the funding gap left by the cessation of USAID projects targeting Hungary.

The survey results indicate a clear public demand for transparency regarding foreign financing.

A significant majority, over 77%, support an investigation into how USAID funds were utilized by local organizations and individuals.

The research methodology involved a CATI approach, surveying 1,000 adults within the Hungarian population, conducted in May 2025.