Hungarian Service
Szabad Európa, a 21st-century update of RFE/RL’s Hungarian Service, provides objective reporting in an EU country that has witnessed the deterioration of a free and independent press.
Website page views
(January–December 2022)
Facebook video views
(January–December 2022)
YouTube video views
(January–December 2022)
Instagram video views
(January–December 2022)
About the Service
Closed in 1993, Szabad Európa was relaunched in September 2020 because of a deteriorating and polarized media environment.
The Service operates digitally via its website, social media platforms, podcasts, and newsletter.
Works to counter increasing Russian and Chinese influence in the country, publishing investigations about surveillance technology.
Covered the 2022 parliamentary election; published a three-piece investigative report on the illegal party financing.
The award-winning investigative video show ‘Szabadon’ (Freely) produced monthly reports on issues and people that are granted no visibility in the mainstream and pro-government media.
Reaching Audiences
Media Climate
Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index ranks Hungary 72nd out of 180 countries.
Awards
Honorka Hégető Award
In 2023 the investigative video show ‘Szabadon’ (Freely) won the Honorka Hégető Award, the most prestigious local media award.
Transparency International Award
2022 Transparency International award runner-up for story about wasteful spending of EU funds.
Latest Updates
In First Year, Szabad Európa Fills Vital Niche In Hungarian Media Scene
In a media environment dominated by outlets associated with the government, RFE/RL’s renewed Hungarian Service, Szabad Európa, has carved out an important role for itself as a trusted, digital-only source…
RFE/RL Is Back With the News in Hungary
Audiences in Hungary woke this morning to Szabad Európa, the 21st-century update of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) storied Hungarian Service.
Service Director
Tibor Vovesz
Tibor Vovesz is the Service Director and Bureau Chief of RFE/RL’s Hungarian Service, known locally as Szabad Európa, re-launched in September 2020. Prior to joining RFE/RL Vovesz worked as a daily editor for the Hungarian feed of the pan-European TV network of Euronews for 5 years and for the company’s central web team in Lyon for one year. He also worked as the editor for the state radio’s political and public affair morning program. He was Program Director for many privately-owned national and regional commercial radio stations over his broadcaster career and he has decades of experience in the daily and hourly news production of such outlets.
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