Demokrata
Demokrata is a conservative political news magazine published in Budapest since 1997.
Media assets
Publishing: Demokrata
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The magazine is published by Magyar Demokrata hetilap through its publishing company, Demokrata Kiadó és Vagyonkezelő Zrt., supported by the Magyar Ház Alapítvány. In the official Impresszum, the Magyar Ház Alapítvány is listed as a supporting entity. While the foundation’s precise role in the magazine’s operations remains unclear, company registry records indicate that its leadership includes Dr. Tímea Staub and Judit Adame as owners, and Dr. István Gazdag, Sándor Kocsis, Paul Kalmár, Dr. Tímea Staub, and Judit Adame as managing directors. There is no public information on whether this support involves direct financial subsidies, institutional backing, or symbolic association, but the foundation’s presence underscores that Demokrata benefits from an additional organisational layer closely linked to pro-government civic initiatives.
Editorial direction remains dominated by András Bencsik, who serves as editor-in-chief and has been the magazine’s public face for decades. A vocal supporter of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and organizer of the pro-government “Peace Marches,” Bencsik continues to set the magazine’s ideological line, assisted by lead editors Bándy Péter, Szarka Sándor, and Sayfo Omar. Despite the presence of a foundation and corporate board, the actual editorial policy is concentrated in Bencsik’s hands, ensuring tight alignment with the ruling Fidesz party.
Source of funding and budget
Financial data from Demokrata Kiadó és Vagyonkezelő Zrt. shows a sharp increase in revenues in 2024. After reporting no revenue in 2022 and 2023, the company recorded HUF 572.28 million in total revenue in 2024, with profits after tax of HUF 845,000. The company’s equity rose to HUF 105.3 million, with fixed assets at HUF 94.8 million and current liabilities of HUF 85.1 million. These figures mark a significant shift from the previous two years, when no meaningful turnover was reported, according to financial reports obtained by the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC).
The absence of employees on record suggests that the publication is operated through contractual or outsourced arrangements rather than permanent staff.
Editorial independence
Editorially, Demokrata continues to function as a pro-government outlet. Prime Minister Orbán has in the past encouraged Hungarians to subscribe, and content analyses conducted by the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) in 2023 and 2024 confirmed that the magazine’s coverage remains overtly favourable toward Fidesz politicians, government authorities, and businessmen close to the ruling party. Demokrata does not operate under a statute guaranteeing editorial independence, and no oversight mechanism exists to validate its editorial practices. The magazine has also been repeatedly criticized for giving space to extremist rhetoric, including anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi content, a pattern that has persisted in recent years.
September 2025