The editor-in-chief of Hungary’s news website index.hu said on Sunday the outlet that has been a leading critic of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government was at risk of losing its independence because of what it called “external influence”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Szabolcs Dull did not give details in the statement, but the editorial team has complained since 2018 that a change in the ownership of an organisation that handles its advertising had threatened its ability to report independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Index.hu is the largest outlet in Hungary critical of Orban after a major shake-up in Hungary’s media sector in recent years that left most news outlets under control of the government or under the control of pro-government business executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We have been affected by an external influence that might lead to the disappearance of the newsroom,” Dull said in the statement signed by dozens of reporters who work for index.hu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement said the fate of the news website could be decided in the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The website has since September 2018 published a gauge with three settings: independent, in danger and not independent. On Sunday, for the first time, the indicator on the graphic had moved to signal “in danger”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orban has extended his influence over many walks of life in the central European country during his decade-long rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Union has criticised him for policies it says threaten the rule of law by imposing party control over the judiciary, media and academic institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n