Founder of pro-Fidesz CÖF publicly gives blueprint for propaganda against Péter Magyar
Change language:
Tamás Fricz, a founding member and spokesman of the pro-government Civil Alliance Forum (CÖF), outlined in an opinion piece how Fidesz should fight the rise of the new opposition figure, Péter Magyar. Exposing “rolling dollars” instead of character assassinations and conspiracy theories about the World Health Organisation could be the main angles of communication ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Civil Alliance Forum is a cornerstone of government doctrine
The Civil Alliance Forum (Civil Összefogás Fórum, CÖF), writes átlátszó.hu, is the right-wing, pro-government NGO that is an integral part of the Hungarian propaganda machine. Among others, it arranges the pro-Fidesz mass demonstration called the Peace March (Békemenet). It is also the organisation responsible for the infamous smear campaign against opposition politicians that stole imagery from the Dead Kennedys.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
One of the founders of CÖF, political scientist Tamás Fricz, has published an opinion piece in Magyar Nemzet, the title of which, as Telex points out in its analysis, says a lot about the future political ambitions of the organisation. Fricz titled his article:
“This is how to fight against Péter Magyar”.
In the article, Fricz outlines “what is the most effective method for Fidesz-KDNP to counter the opposition movement initiated by Péter Magyar.”
Character assassinations did not work – a new direction is needed
At the beginning of the article, Fricz writes with surprising transparency that so far, CÖF’s attacks on Péter Magyar focused on his person and character. However, this approach seems to be lacking, at least until new information comes to light that proves “that Péter Magyar is a terrible villain.”
Instead of continuing the character assassination, the political scientist advises a different route. The message in their political campaign should be this: “Here is a figure who has badly betrayed Fidesz, the government that gave him a lot, he has gone into opposition, and what has happened is that the opposition palette has been expanded, and now there is a new player or party to consider.”
Source: Facebook/Péter Magyar
In the fight against Péter Magyar, “[f]irst of all, we must find out how and to what extent he is supported by the usual foreign network, from George Soros to Action for Democracy, the US Embassy, the Democrats, even the elite in Davos, and provide concrete facts and evidence to the public” about the foreign funds Magyar receives.
CÖF is already working on this “investigative” work, as Fricz calls it. One of the manifestations of their journalism is the fact that the propaganda posters depicting the “dollar left” now include Péter Magyar.
Linking Magyar to figures that the government has already established as enemies, Fricz points out that it is necessary to prove that Magyar “is no more and no better than Karácsony, Gyurcsány, Márki-Zay or Fekete-Győr, Anna Donáth, Katalin Cseh.” This would be “a very important achievement” politically, because
Fidesz demands total loyalty – regardless of its actions and ways. Perhaps this is why they are such good bedfellows with Russia and China? Shared ways of working, understanding of “what it takes” – and the “benefits” of subordination/dependency?
Magyar is what we call a rat in the west. Low life is also accurate. Failure in life. Magyar, instead of positive ideas makes up dirt that is called a liar.
Magyar seems to be putting the ‘frighteners’ on Fidesz when they have to resort to crazy, perhaps Russian, US nativist Tanton and anti-EU Koch Network inspired, conspiracies about WHO?