Hungarian Service
Szabad Európa provides objective reporting in Hungary, where independent journalism is increasingly under threat.
Website page views
(2024)
Facebook video views
(2024)
Instagram video views
(2024)
YouTube video views
(2024)
About the Service
Originally operating between 1950 and 1993, Szabad Európa relaunched in 2020 due to Hungary’s deteriorating and polarized media climate.
The Service operates digitally via its website, social media platforms, podcasts, and newsletters.
Szabad Európa combats increasingly pervasive Russian and Chinese disinformation openly distributed by the state media by providing an objective and credible platform of independent reporting.
Journalists report on corruption and rule of law, covering social and economic issues that impact Hungarians’ daily lives, and Hungary’s role in regional and international organizations.
In 2024, Szabad Európa won a legal battle with the state, gaining access to the details of a murky concession contract for operating and maintaining the country’s highway network, revealing high costs to taxpayers.
Hungary’s Office of the Chief Prosecutor launched an investigation into the use of state funds for failed IT developments in the health sector following a Szabad Európa story.
Reaching Audiences
Media Climate
Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index ranks Hungary 67th out of 180 countries.
As corporations with close ties to the Hungarian government conquer more of the national media market, Szabad Európa’s credible and independent reporting is critical.
Awards
Szabadon (Freely)
In 2023, the team behind Szabad Európa’s investigative video show Szabadon (Freely), which reports on issues and people that are granted no visibility in mainstream and pro-government media, was awarded Hungary’s most prestigious journalism award for its unbiased and credible reporting.
Investigative Reporters & Editors’ Philip Meyer Journalism Award
In 2024, Szabad Európa, in partnership with RFE/RL’s Current Time, received an honorable mention from Investigative Reporters & Editors’ Philip Meyer Journalism Award for its investigation on the dynamics of Russian and Hungarian state propaganda.
Latest Updates
In First Year, Szabad Európa Fills Vital Niche In Hungarian Media Scene
In a media environment dominated by outlets associated with the government, RFE/RL’s renewed Hungarian Service, Szabad Európa, has carved out an important role for itself as a trusted, digital-only source…
RFE/RL Is Back With the News in Hungary
Audiences in Hungary woke this morning to Szabad Európa, the 21st-century update of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) storied Hungarian Service.
Service Director
Tibor Vovesz
Tibor Vovesz is the Service Director and Bureau Chief of RFE/RL’s Hungarian Service, known locally as Szabad Európa, re-launched in September 2020. Prior to joining RFE/RL Vovesz worked as a daily editor for the Hungarian feed of the pan-European TV network of Euronews for 5 years and for the company’s central web team in Lyon for one year. He also worked as the editor for the state radio’s political and public affair morning program. He was Program Director for many privately-owned national and regional commercial radio stations over his broadcaster career and he has decades of experience in the daily and hourly news production of such outlets.
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