Part 8/11:
The unfolding crisis in U.S. media is reminiscent of authoritarian regimes elsewhere. The examples of Hungary under Viktor Orban and Russia under Vladimir Putin are particularly instructive. Both leaders extended control over national media—often citing “vague” legislation or national security concerns—while silencing independent voices and manipulating public narratives.
In Hungary, media laws requiring “balanced” coverage led to vague and arbitrarily enforced regulations, paving the way for government censorship. Similarly, in Russia, Putin targeted independent TV networks, including raiding their offices and forcing them into oligarch-controlled hands, effectively silencing dissent and control of information.