Interesting times indeed. I got caught up in politics. Even abroad it was difficult to miss the troubles in Hungary: controversial new laws enacted, new constitution, economic crises, heavy critique from the US and the EU, mass protests in Budapest.

It all started a year ago, when I was invited to speak at a rally against the than newly adopted media law which coupled a heavily centralized, and politically charged media authority with unprecedented power of this authority over all kinds of media.

The organizer was a Facebook group called One Million for the Press Freedom in Hungary. By now a 100.000 strong group, it has quickly broadened its scope to protect all kinds of freedom rights, and mutated into a media outlet besides organizing mass protests on March 15^th and October 23^rd.

I am now one of the spokespersons of the group. I was elected to be amongst the informal leaders of the 40-something people who are actively involved in the organization. I am one of the editors of the Facebook page which organizes debates, pushes underreported news, disseminates information on the civil society protests to hundreds of thousands 2-3 times every day.

I wish I could go back to the library and work on my new project, but these are desperate times, and I realized my responsibility in the future of my country which has been officially been ceased to be a Republic.

 

What are we doing now?

Interesting times indeed. I got caught up in politics. Even abroad it was difficult to miss the troubles in Hungary: controversial new laws enacted, new constitution, economic crises, heavy critique from the US and the EU, mass protests in Budapest.

It all started a year ago, when I was invited to speak at a rally against the than newly adopted media law which coupled a heavily centralized, and politically charged media authority with unprecedented power of this authority over all kinds of media.

The organizer was a Facebook group called One Million for the Press Freedom in Hungary. By now a 100.000 strong group, it has quickly broadened its scope to protect all kinds of freedom rights, and mutated into a media outlet besides organizing mass protests on March 15^th and October 23^rd.

I am now one of the spokespersons of the group. I was elected to be amongst the informal leaders of the 40-something people who are actively involved in the organization. I am one of the editors of the Facebook page which organizes debates, pushes underreported news, disseminates information on the civil society protests to hundreds of thousands 2-3 times every day.

I wish I could go back to the library and work on my new project, but these are desperate times, and I realized my responsibility in the future of my country which has been officially been ceased to be a Republic.

 

What are we doing now?

First and foremost we run this independent media. We are also busy organizing the March 15^th protest, which is hard, because the authorities have occupied all the public spaces in Budapest. We run a campaign to find an alternative to the current president of Hungary, who is plagued by well founded allegations of plagiarism. We also host a public debate on the contents of a new social contract – a must where nearly 60% of the electorate cannot name a party for which s/he would be willing to vote for.

I am afraid of repercussions. But I don’t have any other choice but to go forward.

 

Take care,

 

b.-

 

Interviews I gave to the Hungarian and international media:

• Magyar Narancs
• Swedish Public Radio
• 168 óra 1.
• 168 óra 2.
• HVG online
• ATV 1.
• ATV 2.
• Radio Slovenija
• Deutschlandfunk
• Euronews

First and foremost we run this independent media. We are also busy organizing the March 15^th protest, which is hard, because the authorities have occupied all the public spaces in Budapest. We run a campaign to find an alternative to the current president of Hungary, who is plagued by well founded allegations of plagiarism. We also host a public debate on the contents of a new social contract – a must where nearly 60% of the electorate cannot name a party for which s/he would be willing to vote for.

I am afraid of repercussions. But I don’t have any other choice but to go forward.

 

Take care,

 

b.-

 

Interviews I gave to the Hungarian and international media:

• Magyar Narancs
• Swedish Public Radio
• 168 óra 1.
• 168 óra 2.
• HVG online
• ATV 1.
• ATV 2.
• Radio Slovenija
• Deutschlandfunk
• Euronews