Hungarians show alarming susceptibility to disinformation and conspiracy theories, regional study reveals

A comprehensive 2024 study comparing Central European nations found Hungarians particularly vulnerable to disinformation and conspiracy narratives, with 72% believing secret organisations manipulate political decisions and 62% endorsing unsubstantiated claims of Ukrainian genocide against ethnic Russians. Conducted by Hungary’s Digital Media Observatory (HDMO) and its Czech-Polish-Slovak partner CEDMO, the research highlights a crisis of trust in facts and institutions across the region.

Key regional disparities

Hungary and Bulgaria emerged as hotspots for fact relativism – the belief that objective truths don’t exist. While 67% of Hungarians and Bulgarians agreed pharmaceutical companies hide disease cures, only 38-39% of Czechs and Slovaks shared this view. Similar divides appeared regarding the belief in “Great Replacement” theories, where 57% of Hungarians believed in a coordinated migrant takeover of Europe, compared to less than 33% of Czechs and Slovaks. Additionally, 60% of Hungarians feared covert cultural imposition by Muslims, including 59% of left-leaning voters. Concerns about election interference were also prevalent, with 53% expecting U.S. meddling in EU elections and 52% suspecting Russian involvement, reflecting polarised geopolitical perceptions.

Media distrust and fact relativism

The study identifies a “champion-level” distrust of media in Hungary, where 76% treat news as opinion rather than fact. This environment fuels conspiratorial thinking, as 41% prioritise political echo chambers, 38% view politics as a “battle between good and evil,” and 36% report family tensions over political disagreements.

Geopolitical perceptions

Hungarians uniquely emphasised non-European threats, with 76% seeing Chinese influence as a major challenge and 52% considering Russian aggression equally concerning. This contrasts with neighbours who focus more on migration and direct Russian threats.

Reinforcing narratives

Researchers noted a dangerous synergy: conspiracy believers disproportionately accept disinformation, fact relativism enables alternative narratives to coexist, and political actors exploit these vulnerabilities – particularly regarding Ukraine. Despite 62% endorsing Russia’s “Ukrainian genocide” narrative, only 25% supported military aid to Ukraine, revealing war fatigue across all surveyed nations.

Comparative perspectives

While Hungary leads in susceptibility, regional trends raise concerns. Czechs and Slovaks are more resistant to conspiracies but share Hungary’s media scepticism, while Bulgarians mirror Hungarian distrust levels without the geopolitical polarisation. Cross-border perceptions show that 57% of Hungarians and Slovaks view Czechia as outperforming their nations socioeconomically.

This study underscores how institutional distrust and fragmented media landscapes make Central Europe fertile ground for destabilising narratives. According to Telex, the real danger emerges when those with power and money start acting according to these beliefs.

Read also:

• The truth is out there – conspiracy theories in Hungary and why some believe them
• New conspiracy theory spreading quickly: Hungary does not exist; it is an American firm

Featured image: depositphotos.com