Hungary lifts restrictions on Ukrainian media access

The Hungarian government has confirmed the removal of restrictions on access to several Ukrainian online media outlets, reversing measures introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The announcement was made on Facebook by Minister of Social Relations and Culture Zoltán Tarr, who said the decision was taken jointly with Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Tarr, the previous government had imposed restrictions on Ukrainian media in 2025 in response to Ukraine’s earlier blocking of Hungarian media outlets. He claimed those outlets had been restricted due to issues related to journalistic ethics and the dissemination of what he described as Russian propaganda, including narratives warning of a potential Third World War.

“Media that spread Russian propaganda cannot be equated with genuine independent journalism — neither in Hungary nor anywhere in the world,” Tarr stated.

He further argued that the former government’s media restrictions were intended to deepen divisions between Hungary and Ukraine. In contrast, the current administration aims to improve bilateral relations and strengthen support for the Hungarian minority abroad.

“Our task is to develop good neighbourly relations, which will improve the situation of the Hungarian diaspora,” Tarr said, adding that recent diplomatic progress had achieved more “in a few weeks than the previous government did in 16 years.”