European Commission Launches First EMFA Infringement Case Against Hungary Over Media Freedom

The European Commission formally initiated an infringement procedure against the Hungarian state on December 11, 2025, citing perceived violations of European Union law pertaining to the recently activated European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). This action marks the first enforcement step taken by the Commission under the EMFA, which officially took legal effect on August 8, 2025. Hungary was the only member state to vote against the EMFA during its adoption by the Council of the European Union.

The investigation centers on several aspects of Hungarian media governance, including the protection of journalistic independence, safeguards for confidential sources, the transparency of public service media management, and the politically influenced allocation of state advertising funds. The EMFA establishes mandatory transparent selection protocols for public media leadership and explicitly forbids political interference in editorial decisions, standards the Commission alleges Hungary does not meet. The formal launch of the procedure was executed via a letter of formal notice, asserting that national legislation in Hungary offers inadequate protection for journalistic sources and lacks effective judicial recourse for addressing violations.

Further specific criticisms address the financing structures and operational framework of public service broadcasting, the direction of governmental advertising expenditures, and the merger approval process within the media market. The Commission maintains that these cumulative regulatory and practical issues collectively restrict the economic viability and editorial autonomy of the Hungarian press. This legal escalation follows the Commission's July 2025 Rule of Law report, which had previously identified concerns regarding market concentration that posed a threat to media pluralism.

The context of media ownership concentration intensified following the October 31, 2025, transaction where Ringier sold its entire Hungarian portfolio, including the tabloid *Blikk*, to Indamedia Network. Indamedia, which already controls outlets such as the *Index* news portal and TV2, has been characterized by media monitors as aligned with the government's media ecosystem, with Indamedia linked to the business circle of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This acquisition further concentrated media assets under perceived political influence, continuing a trend where the Fidesz government has faced accusations of systematically undermining independent media over the preceding decade.

The Hungarian government has been allotted a two-month period to submit a formal response to the letter of notice. If the Commission finds the reply insufficient, the case may proceed to a reasoned opinion, which could ultimately lead to a referral to the European Court of Justice (CJEU) with the potential for financial penalties. This legal development occurs as Hungary approaches parliamentary elections anticipated by April 2026. Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath affirmed the EU’s commitment to a media environment capable of thriving in all member states, signaling the Commission's intent to utilize the new EMFA framework to address systemic media governance issues observed in Hungary through late 2025.