Minister Accuses Media Outlet of Corruption and Fake News

Construction and Transport Minister **János Lázár** lashes out at a news portal, alleging vested interests and propaganda.

A surprising Facebook post on Monday saw **János Lázár**, Minister of Construction and Transport, accuse a prominent news outlet of corruption and deliberately spreading misinformation. The minister’s strong words followed an article that he claims misrepresented an incident on a Budapest to Sopron train.

Allegations of “Click-Hunting”

The controversy ignited after the news outlet published a story about a passenger falling ill on a train. **Lázár** asserted that the incident, which occurred at Tata Station, was portrayed as a life-or-death struggle solely to attract readers, specifically targeting the national railway company, MÁV.

The minister contended that this incident exemplifies a pattern of the outlet regularly disseminating false news and lies about MÁV, allegedly “on order.” **Lázár** directly linked the outlet’s reporting to specific business interests he believes are manipulating public perception.

“There are business circles behind the index and its articles who, besides owning the page, can now only compete in competition from MÁV, which hurts them very much. Those who hold Index journalists also fill their pockets as libs politicians to represent their business interests in the capital, MÁV and the press.”

—János Lázár, Minister of Construction and Transport

Unraveling the Business Connections

The minister’s accusations point to the Indamedia Group, the owner of the news portal. **Miklós Vaszily**, a figure described as close to **Lőrinc Mészáros**, is listed as one of the owners. **Mészáros** himself has previously been linked to the portal’s financial backing, particularly after a significant staff reduction in 2020. An investigative report in 2021, citing a recorded conversation with the former editor-in-chief, suggested **Mészáros**, often referred to as Hungary’s wealthiest businessman, was a sole or primary financial supporter.

Furthermore, **Antal Rogán**, another influential government figure, has also been connected to the portal. Reports indicate his new wife authored a substantial article concerning a land purchase, a piece that seemingly aimed to counter public scrutiny and which **Rogán** later defended. Investigations have suggested ongoing ties between the post-mass dismissal editorial team and **Rogán** or his ministry.

Economic Landscape and Media Influence

This public dispute unfolds against a backdrop of significant economic challenges. In January 2024, Hungary’s inflation rate was reported at 5.1%, indicating ongoing price pressures for consumers (KSH 2024). In such an environment, accusations of biased reporting and propaganda can carry significant weight in shaping public opinion and influencing economic confidence.

When approached for comment regarding the specific business circles **Lázár** was targeting, the Ministry of Construction and Transport’s press department had not yet provided a response.