Democratic renewal

Hungary’s State Media Goes Dark Apologizing for Orban-Era Lies

Hungary’s state media has taken a dramatic and unprecedented step, going dark to apologize for years of what is now being described as propaganda that supported former leader Viktor Orban. This move, following Orban’s electoral defeat earlier this year, signals a significant shift in the country’s media landscape. The main channel and website of the state broadcaster abruptly displayed a blank screen with a written apology to viewers, a stark contrast to its usual programming. The message was unequivocal: “Public media must not lie,” followed by a frank admission, “We apologize for having nonetheless done so for many years!” This bold statement came from the new management team, put in place by Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government, indicating a clear intention to break from the past.… Continue reading

US Not Collapsing, Already Living in Oligarchy’s Aftermath

The persistent anxiety surrounding the imminent collapse of American democracy, characterized by weekly pronouncements of impending doom, is rooted not in a future threat but in the repressed memory of an already-occurred democratic erosion. This erosion, predating Donald Trump, has left millions experiencing decades of political exclusion and precarious living, while a wealthy elite benefits from this systemic deprivation. The fixation on a perpetual near-collapse serves as a defense mechanism, allowing those who have benefited from inequalities to avoid confronting the gradual dismantling of democratic life. True democratic renewal requires moving beyond the illusion of restoring a past that never fully existed and instead actively inventing a future through the creation of robust public infrastructures and grassroots organizing that fosters collective care and mutual reliance.

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