The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) today announce that Hungary鈥檚 independent media have been named the recipient of the 2025 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award in recognition of their innovation, adaptation, and endurance under sustained political and economic pressure.
On October 23, 1956, Hungarian students in Budapest marched to the headquarters of Magyar R谩di贸 to broadcast 16 demands for reform 鈥� among them, freedom of the press 鈥� marking the start of the Hungarian Revolution against Soviet rule.
Throughout Hungary鈥檚 history 鈥� from the 1848 revolution to the 1989 democratic transition 鈥� the struggle for press freedom has stood at the very heart of the nation鈥檚 broader fight for liberty and sovereignty.
Today鈥檚 independent media in Hungary continue this legacy. Through resilience, innovation, collaboration, and courage, they embody the enduring tradition of Hungarian journalists and writers who have sought ways to share independent news and ideas, despite censorship and state control.
Over the past 15 years, as Prime Minister Viktor Orb谩n has refined a sophisticated system of state capture of the media, Hungary鈥檚 independent journalists have responded with remarkable ingenuity and resolve 鈥� launching new outlets, reinventing existing ones, and developing new ways to reach and build audiences.
This award honours Hungary鈥檚 independent media for their pioneering innovations 鈥� including the use of digital platforms and technologies,聽 cross-newsroom collaborations and partnerships, and creative community-based and crowdsourcing funding models 鈥� in the face of an increasingly hostile environment.
鈥淗ungary鈥檚 independent media are an inspiring model of innovation and determination under immense pressure,鈥� Scott Griffen, IPI Executive Director, said. 鈥淭his award celebrates the broader spirit of resilience embodied by Hungary鈥檚 independent media community as a whole 鈥� and honours their effort to sustain independent journalism in one of the most captured media environments in Europe and beyond.鈥�
IPI and IMS jointly present the Free Media Pioneer Award to recognize organizations or media communities that meet the challenges of today鈥檚 media environment with innovation, creativity, and determination.
鈥淚n recognizing the pioneering spirit and innovation of Hungary鈥檚 independent media, we also celebrate the continuing resilience and determination of journalists everywhere who persist in holding power to account even where these rights are under threat,鈥� Jesper H酶jberg, IMS Executive Director, said. 鈥淭heir remarkable courage and creativity are what keeps independent journalism 鈥� and democracy 鈥� alive.鈥�
The 2025 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award will be presented at the IPI 海角乱伦大神 and Media Innovation Festival, taking place in Vienna, Austria, from October 23鈥�25, 2025, as part of IPI鈥檚 75th anniversary celebrations.
About the IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award
Launched by IPI in 1996 and presented in partnership with IMS since 2013, the Free Media Pioneer Award honours journalists, organizations, or media communities that demonstrate innovation, resilience, and impact in advancing independent journalism and press freedom.
The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists committed to the defense of press freedom and the independent flow of news wherever they are threatened.
International Media Support (IMS) is a non-profit organization that works to strengthen journalism and media in countries affected by conflict, authoritarianism, and political transition.
For press inquiries, please contact: Rowan Humphries, [email protected]