Hungary manufactures fake news in California

The Orbán government’s misinformation industry is alive and well and reached a new level. Generally, fake news is manufactured in Budapest by well paid professionals at the Hungarian News Agency – MTI. Not anymore–they are also made right here in the United States.

Hungarian Minister of State for EU Affairs Mr. Szabolcs Takács recently visited Los Angeles and the M1 Hungarian state-owned TV channel reported about his visit. Thanks to YouTube, I watched the report (to watch click here) where I learned that all Hungarian-Americans support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s migration policies. We support the razor wire fences, the exclusion of Muslims from Hungary and the inhuman treatment of migrants in the detention centers. For those who cannot hear the TV audio the message is even printed on the screen – “Hungarian communities in America support the government migration policies.”

In this video we meet with the usual cast of characters; Mr. Andrew Friedman speaks about “Jewish brothers” who want a strong Hungary, the backdrop is provided by the Hungarian House in Los Angeles led by Miklós Pereházy, and László Kálmán, Hungary’s Consul General, also appears.

I take the First Amendment seriously and I think it is important to express various opinions freely in the media, but staging and producing fictional news is unethical. It is pure propaganda.

The video was made by John Hasulyó who hails from the northern Hungarian town, Kazincbarcika, and now lives in California. I found some of his earlier work; an interview with PM Orbán (click here) and a beauty pageant in skimpy bathing suits in Greece (watch here).

Mr. Hasulyó (in blue shirt) with film and media mogul Andy Vajna and his wife Timi  (Mr. Vajna has recently purchased channel TV2 in Hungary.)

Mr. Hasulyó (in blue shirt) with film and media mogul Andy Vajna and his wife Timi (Mr. Vajna has recently purchased channel TV2 in Hungary.)

Obviously, Mr. Hasulyó may create video material for the Hungarian government and/or TV channels as he pleases, but he should be aware that lobbying on behalf of foreign governments is regulated in the US. According to FARA (Foreign Agent Registration Act of 1938), he may officially register as a lobbyist and after that nobody will raise the suspicion of unethical journalism.

He can continue doing legally what he does now – lobbying for the Orbán government.

György Lázár

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *