Hungary’s documentary film community has issued a stark warning following the introduction of a controversial bill in Parliament titled «On the Transparency of Public Life.» The proposed legislation, expected to pass due to the ruling FIDESZ party’s supermajority, poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and the viability of independent media.

The bill targets civil organisations, independent media, and companies that receive foreign funding, potentially subjecting them to a public watchlist and sanctions for actions deemed to undermine Hungary’s sovereignty. Even financing from European Union grants or dual citizens could trigger punitive measures.

The law outlines thematic boundaries that cannot be challenged or portrayed negatively, including Hungary’s democratic institutions, national identity, Christian culture, and traditional family values. Critics warn that these stipulations amount to de facto censorship, particularly endangering filmmakers who work on issues such as LGBTQ rights, migration, or regional conflicts like the war in Ukraine.

The Hungarian Documentary Association (MADOKE) argues that such restrictions will effectively criminalise dissent and marginalise voices that do not align with the government’s ideological framework. With public funding already inaccessible to most independent filmmakers under the 15-year FIDESZ administration, many rely on foreign grants and unpaid labor to continue their work.

«This law aims to silence all who think or act differently,» MADOKE stated, calling for international solidarity and advocacy from film institutions and cultural communities abroad.

Observers note a troubling parallel between Hungary’s legislative direction and the repressive media environment in Russia, underscoring growing concern about democratic backsliding in the European Union member state.