The International Press Institute (IPI) publishes the second in a special three-part video interview series with leading Hungarian journalists and editors examining the ongoing media reform process in Hungary under the new Tisza government.
In this second episode, IPI’s Senior Europe Advocacy Officer Jamie Wiseman speaks with Szabolcs Panyi, lead investigative editor at VSQUARE, and one of Hungary’s best known investigative journalists.
In March 2026, in the final weeks of the general election campaign, Panyi faced criminal espionage charges filed by the government over his bombshell reporting on Russian interference in the Hungarian election and Hungarian government ties with the Kremlin.
In conversation with IPI, he spoke about navigating intense pressure from the Orbán government, the changes in the media landscape since Tisza’s election, and the lack of accountability for the use of military grade spyware surveillance on journalists under Fidesz.
This video interview series by IPI is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors, and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. IPI is a partner of the MFRR.
From November 4 to 6, 2026, IPI will join a coalition of international media freedom organisations to travel to Hungary to learn more about the media reform under Tisza and provide expert recommendations for rebuilding press freedom after years of backsliding.
- IPI Analysis: Tisza’s victory offers historic opportunity for media freedom reform in Hungary
- IPI Spotlight: Hungary’s independent journalists named 2026 World Press Freedom Hero
This video interview series produced by IPI is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries
