85 Editors-in-Chief from 22 Countries Protest Hungary’s Transparency Law

Signatories include leading figures from media outlets such as The Guardian (UK), ORF (Austria), Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), Denník N (Slovakia), Le Soir (Belgium), and Libération (France), among others.

The statement — published in 11 languages — expresses deep concern over Hungary’s proposed Transparency Law, which the signatories argue closely resembles legislation enacted in authoritarian regimes such as Russia.

They warn that the law’s vague and broad wording could be weaponized against any organization engaged in public discourse, including independent media outlets and NGOs. Oversight would be assigned to the Sovereignty Protection Office, headed by a person who has publicly urged the public not to support independent journalism.

Organizations targeted under the law could face severe penalties, including frozen bank accounts, mandatory asset declarations by their leadership, and significant financial fines.

The statement stresses that a free press is a core European value — not merely a domestic Hungarian matter. The editors and publishers call on European Union institutions and member state governments to take all necessary steps to prevent the law’s enactment, which they argue violates EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.