Editorial board of Index and more than 70 staff members resign (index.hu)

Article summary

The editorial board and over 70 staff members of Index, a major Hungarian news outlet, have resigned in response to the firing of the editor-in-chief, which they see as an attempt to exert external influence on the site's content and staff. The staff had previously requested the reinstatement of the editor-in-chief, but the president of the board refused. The resignations are seen as a response to the perceived threat to the independence of the news outlet. The incident has raised concerns about press freedom in Hungary.

Main themes

• press freedom
• independent media
• democracy
• government influence
• journalism
• funding models
• republic vs democracy
• oligarchy and plutocracy

What commenters say

• Independent media is crucial for a functioning democracy, and its suppression can have severe consequences.
• Citizen journalism and social media are not sufficient replacements for professional, independent journalism.
• Funding from governments or corporations can compromise the independence of news outlets, but diverse funding sources can help mitigate this risk.
• The line between democracy and other forms of government can be blurry, and the health of a democracy depends on various factors, including a free press and an independent judiciary.
• The US is not a healthy democracy, with some arguing it is more akin to a plutocracy or oligarchy.
• The distinction between a republic and a democracy is not always clear-cut, and the two concepts are not mutually exclusive.
• A well-funded and independent press is essential for holding institutions accountable and ensuring that power is not concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups.