Navracsics and Ferencz Urge Wealthy Oligarchs to Fund Conservative Media Amid Mass Layoffs

Former Hungarian minister Tibor Navracsics and ex-space commissioner Orsolya Ferencz have issued an open letter calling on wealthy business figures tied to the ruling Fidesz party to immediately finance and sustain conservative media outlets. The letter, published Tuesday on both politicians' Facebook pages, argues that those who have amassed fortunes through government-linked programs now have a duty to act as patrons for the embattled right-wing press.

The appeal comes as Mediaworks, a major conservative media group, carries out sweeping restructuring. Reports indicate around 180 employees have been affected by mass layoffs, with several well-known publications—including the daily Bors and multiple county newspapers—being shut down entirely. The online outlet Pesti Srácok has also dismissed all staff, though its editor-in-chief, Gergely Huth, has stated that talks are underway to possibly continue operations through reader support.

In their letter, Navracsics and Ferencz write: "We believe one must be a patriot with civic values not only when it is easy, but also when it is difficult. In fact, that is when one must truly stand by one's values." They assert that the "national capitalists" have gained enormous wealth through preferential government treatment and should now help journalists who are losing their jobs.

The letter explicitly demands that conservative business leaders "immediately begin financing a quality right-wing media portfolio" and "immediately offer jobs to media professionals who have lost their positions." The signatories frame the request as both a plea and an expectation, stating that these business figures must "meaningfully take responsibility" for solving the crisis facing conservative media workers.