Life As A Journalist In Orbán's Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is the face of so-called "illiberal democracy" in Europe. In addition to his efforts to weaken democratic institutions and demonize migration, Orbán has worked to curtail freedom of the press in Hungary since taking office in 2010 (and has significantly ramped up his efforts since winning a third term last April).

This podcast from Foreign Policy begins by offering up a startling big-picture statistic about independent media in Hungary: government-supported or controlled news outlets now number more than 500, with only a precious few independent outlets remaining. But what is it actually like to work as a journalist in Hungary? FP's Sarah Wildman talks to one longtime investigative reporter in Hungary about how her life and career have changed as Orbán tightens his grip over the media.

More than just giving an overview of the current political situation—controversial new legislation from Orbán's government has prompted a series of massive opposition protests in recent weeks—, the podcast gives a human perspective to the countless headlines of press restriction and illiberalism that come out of Hungary.