Hungary slams US intervention by offering to fund ‘objective media’ in upcoming elections

Hungary’s foreign minister on Wednesday accused the United States government of meddling in his country’s internal affairs and upcoming election campaign by offering to fund “objective media in Hungary.”

The US has expressed concerns about “negative trends” for press freedom in Hungary, such as a dwindling number of independent news outlets and the increasing control people close to the government have in the media market.

The US State Department last week called for grant applications from media outlets in Hungary based outside Budapest. One goal of the US$700,000 programme is to “improve the quality of local traditional and online media and increase the public’s access to reliable and unbiased information.”

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that the US move was “shocking and unusual” among allies.

“We don’t do such things and we expect our allies to refrain from doing so, as well,” Szijjarto said.