Demokrata is a conservative political news magazine published in Budapest since 1997.
Media assets
Publishing: Demokrata
State Media Matrix Typology: Captured Private (CaPr)
Ownership and governance
The magazine Demokrata is published by the company Magyar Demokrata hetilap, owned by András Bencsik, an influential supporter of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Bencsik was one of the organizers of the so-called “Peace Marches” in Budapest, which were held in support of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Source of funding and budget
Although it was reported years ago that Demokrata used to receive substantial state advertising money through the Budapest municipality, there is no recent data to prove that the magazine’s budget is at least 50% reliant on state funding. However, local journalists interviewed for this report in March 2023 and May 2024 said that the publication still depended on state advertising revenues to survive.
Editorial independence
Demokrata openly promotes the Hungarian government, especially Prime Minister Viktor Orban. In fact, the Prime Minister showed his support for the publication, recommending that Hungarians subscribe to the magazine. An ad hoc analysis conducted for this report in March 2023 also found overtly friendly coverage of the authorities and Fidesz-related businessmen and companies.
Demokrata does not have a domestic statute that establishes its editorial independence. The newspaper is under the strong leadership of Andras Bencsik, whose editorial policy visibly aims to support the government, as reported by local journalists and experts interviewed for this report in March 2023 and May 2024. The publication is also known for its extremist stance, often publishing anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi articles.
There is no independent assessment or oversight mechanism to validate Demokrata’s editorial independence.
August 2024