Magyar Hírlap

Magyar Hírlap (Hungarian News in English)^[1] is a Hungarian daily newspaper. It was started in 1968 as a newspaper of the Hungarian government. In 1990 it became independent. In November 2006, it was bought by media tycoon Gábor Széles. Since then the daily paper has been known as a supporter of political parties of Hungary with conservative and traditional values, whereas it was formerly known for a liberal stance in the 1990s.

Controversial publications

Magyar Hírlap has faced sharp criticism for allowing anti-Semitic propaganda in their printed paper as well as on their webpages. The Magyar Hírlap columnist Zsolt Bayer has, among other things, called Jews "stinking excrement".^[2]

In January 2013, Zsolt Bayer, co-founder of Fidesz and a friend of Viktor Orban also wrote in this far-right newspaper: "A considerable proportion of the gypsies is not fit to live among people. They are animals. These animals should certainly not exist. The problem must be solved - immediately and no matter how." The article generated reactions in Hungary and in Europe, but the party replied that Bayer was "stating his own view." The communications chief of Fidesz, Máté Kocsis affirmed that anyone who protested against the article "was putting himself on the side of murderers" - meaning the Roma.^[3][4]

Political activity

The publicist of Magyar Hírlap, Zsolt Bayer, was one of the leading figures in the pro-government march held in January 2012 in Budapest, which was attended by more than 400,000 people.^[5]

References