Origo: The Evolution of a Hungarian News Giant
Origo stands as one of the most significant names in the history of the Hungarian internet. From its inception as a venture to promote internet adoption to its current status as a central pillar of government-aligned media, the site's trajectory mirrors the broader political and digital shifts within Hungary over the last quarter-century.
Foundation and Early Growth (1998–2001)
The origins of Origo date back to 1997, when four former employees of Magyar Narancs—Péter Nádori, Ferenc Pohly, György Simó, and Balázs Weyer—sought to establish an online news platform. While they initially approached other publishers, funding was ultimately provided by Magyar Telekom (then known as MATÁV). The primary goal of this investment was to encourage more Hungarian citizens to subscribe to internet services.
Launched in December 1998, Origo initially struggled with structural issues that hindered its readership. However, the financial backing of MATÁV provided a competitive edge over its main rival, Index.hu (then Internetto). By leveraging the AltaVizsla search engine (based on Altavista) and acquiring the email provider freemail.hu, Origo created a comprehensive digital ecosystem of news, search, and email. In 2000, Balázs Weyer succeeded Péter Nádori as editor-in-chief.
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Rise to Market Dominance (2001–2010)
Origo's infrastructure and financial stability became evident during the September 11 attacks. While Index.hu suffered frequent server outages due to high traffic, Origo remained stable, cementing its position as Hungary's most popular news site.
Throughout the 2000s, the site expanded its digital footprint. In 2006, the parent company (T-Online) acquired iWiW, the largest social media site in Hungary at the time, and integrated it with Origo. They also purchased the blogging platform Blogter.hu to compete with Index's blog.hu. This era of expansion culminated in a major front-page redesign in 2009.
Political Pressure and Editorial Shifts (2010–2015)
The early 2010s marked a turning point for the organization. In 2010, Miklós Vaszily, a former Index employee, became CEO with a mandate to increase profitability. This period saw a revolving door of leadership; Albert Gazda took over as editor-in-chief in 2011, followed by Gergő Sáling in 2013 after Gazda's resignation.
Gazda later alleged that his departure was the result of political pressure. Reports indicated that Hungarian government officials had met with Magyar Telekom executives to push for a more pro-government editorial stance. In June 2014, Gergő Sáling was fired. While the official reason was "adapting to changing media consumption," critics and former staff, including deputy András Pethő, suggested the firing was linked to a lawsuit Pethő had filed against Fidesz official János Lázár. This event led to a mass exodus of journalists, including the entire "Origo News" section, and the appointment of Ákos Pálmai as editor-in-chief.
The New Wave Media Era (2015–2018)
In 2015, as Deutsche Telekom divested its media interests, Magyar Telekom sold Origo to New Wave Media, the owners of vs.hu. Leadership changed again, with Bence György serving as editor-in-chief until 2017, when he was replaced by László Gábor.
A significant shift occurred in 2017 when New Wave Media was purchased by Ádám Matolcsy, the son of György Matolcsy (Governor of the Hungarian National Bank and Fidesz member). Despite denials that the site would become a propaganda tool, Origo began uncritically supporting the anti-immigration campaigns of Viktor Orbán and publishing reports against opposition politicians that resulted in several lost lawsuits.
Integration into KESMA (2018–Present)
In 2018, Origo became part of KESMA (Central European Press and Media Foundation), a massive conglomerate of Fidesz-related media. Once known for balanced reporting, Origo shifted entirely toward pro-government narratives, frequently publishing fake news and falsifying foreign reports to target political opponents.
This shift led to significant international and legal repercussions. In 2019, Google withdrew a grant previously offered to New Wave Media. Furthermore, Hungarian courts ordered Origo to issue corrections in 34 separate cases in 2018. Gábor Polyák of Mérték Media Monitor described the site as an "emblematic player of the Fidesz propaganda media," funded by substantial public money.
In recent years, Origo has extended its editorial line to international affairs, supporting Donald Trump's 2020 campaign and claiming without evidence that the election was rigged. It also blamed the Biden presidency for the January 6 Capitol attack before Biden was even inaugurated. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the site was criticized for spreading pro-Kremlin views and aligning with the administration's "Orbán wants peace" narrative.
Key Facts
- Founded: Launched in December 1998 by former Magyar Narancs employees.
- Early Backing: Funded by Magyar Telekom (MATÁV) to promote internet use.
- Market Peak: Became Hungary's top news site due to superior server stability and integrated services (email/search).
- Ownership Shift: Moved from Magyar Telekom to New Wave Media (2015), then to KESMA (2018).
- Editorial Change: Transitioned from balanced reporting to a pro-Fidesz, state-aligned propaganda outlet.
- Legal Issues: Ordered by courts to issue 34 corrections in 2018 alone.
| Period | Owner | Key Leadership/Events |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–2015 | Magyar Telekom (MATÁV/T-Online) | Péter Nádori, Balázs Weyer; Acquisition of iWiW and Blogter.hu |
| 2015–2018 | New Wave Media | Bence György, László Gábor; Purchase by Ádám Matolcsy |
| 2018–Present | KESMA | Shift to pro-government propaganda and KESMA integration |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Origo become more popular than Index.hu in the early 2000s?
Origo had stronger financial backing from Magyar Telekom, which allowed them to maintain server stability during high-traffic events like 9/11. They also offered a bundled package of news, search (AltaVizsla), and email (freemail.hu) that competitors could not match.
What is KESMA?
KESMA is a media foundation that acquired Origo and a majority of Fidesz-related media outlets in 2018, effectively consolidating pro-government media under one organization.
How did the editorial tone of Origo change over time?
Origo was originally known for balanced reporting. However, following government pressure in the 2010s and its eventual acquisition by New Wave Media and KESMA, it shifted to the political right, supporting the Fidesz party and frequently publishing pro-government propaganda.
What were the consequences of Origo's reporting on opposition politicians?
The site's tendency to publish fake news and untruths about opposition figures led to numerous lawsuits and court orders, including 34 required corrections in 2018.
Why did Google withdraw its grant to Origo's publisher?
Google decided not to proceed with a grant from its digital news innovation fund to New Wave Media after a further review of the publisher.