Telex.hu: The Emergence of a New Independent News Portal
The landscape of Hungarian digital media underwent a seismic shift in 2020. What began as an internal dispute at one of the country's most prominent news sites, Index.hu, evolved into a widespread movement for press freedom and the eventual birth of a new journalistic venture: Telex.hu.
The Crisis at Index.hu
The catalyst for this transition occurred on July 22, 2020, when Szabolcs Dull, the editor-in-chief of Index.hu, was removed from his position. This decision followed a period of internal controversy and shifts in the site's ownership. The editorial staff viewed the firing as a direct interference with the independence of the publication and demanded Dull's reinstatement.
When the request to reinstate Dull was refused, the staff took unprecedented action. On July 24, 2020, nearly the entire editorial team resigned. According to reports from HVG, 87 out of 90 staff members handed in their notices in protest.
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This mass resignation sparked large-scale protests for press freedom, drawing thousands of participants. During these demonstrations, the public's desire for independent media became evident, with one speaker even pledging to pay 10,000 HUF per month to support a new, independent news portal.
The Path to Establishment
Following their departure, the former Index staff maintained a presence via a Facebook page. On August 31, 2020, Veronika Munk released a farewell video where she discussed the possibility of creating a subscription-based news portal. While there were brief suggestions that the staff might merge with the existing news website 444.hu, this merger never materialized.
Founding and Ownership
The legal entity behind the new venture is Van Másik Kft. (translated as "There is an alternative"). The name is a deliberate play on "Nincs másik" ("There is no alternative"), a slogan previously used by Index during fundraising campaigns. The company is owned by Márton Kárpáti, the former deputy editor-in-chief of Index.hu, who cited both family reasons and dissatisfaction with the changes at Index as motives for his departure.
The technical foundation was laid when the domain telex.hu was purchased by a company owned by Kárpáti's brother and subsequently transferred to Van Másik Kft.
Launching Telex.hu
On September 4, 2020, Veronika Munk officially announced the creation of Telex.hu, appointing herself as editor-in-chief. She defined the portal's mission as objective and non-partisan, striving to present facts without leaning left or right. To fund the startup, Munk launched a donation campaign to cover essential costs, including infrastructure, equipment, office rentals, and salaries.
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While Márton Kárpáti initially estimated that the budget could only support 40 to 50 staff members, the project saw overwhelming support. When the initial staff list was published on Facebook, it included 70 former Index employees. After a month of preparation and preliminary reporting via social media, Telex.hu officially launched its website on October 2, 2020.
Key Facts
- Trigger Event: The removal of Index.hu editor-in-chief Szabolcs Dull on July 22, 2020.
- Staff Exodus: 87 out of 90 Index.hu employees resigned on July 24, 2020.
- Ownership: Owned by Márton Kárpáti via Van Másik Kft.
- Leadership: Veronika Munk serves as the editor-in-chief.
- Launch Date: The official website went live on October 2, 2020.
- Funding Model: Initially launched through public donations to ensure independence.
| Feature | Index.hu (Pre-Crisis) | Telex.hu |
|---|---|---|
| Editor-in-Chief | Szabolcs Dull | Veronika Munk |
| Ownership Entity | Various/Changing | Van Másik Kft. |
| Editorial Stance | Independent (until dispute) | Objective/Non-partisan |
| Staffing | ~90 employees | 70 initial former Index staff |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the staff leave Index.hu?
The staff resigned in protest after the editor-in-chief, Szabolcs Dull, was fired on July 22, 2020. They viewed this as an interference with the site's editorial independence.
What does "Van Másik Kft." mean?
It translates to "There is an alternative," which serves as a counter-reference to the Index fundraising slogan "Nincs másik" ("There is no alternative").
How was Telex.hu funded at its start?
The portal was funded through public donations, which were used to pay for salaries, office rentals, and technical infrastructure.
Who is the editor-in-chief of Telex.hu?
Veronika Munk is the editor-in-chief, having announced the portal's creation in September 2020.
Did the Index staff join 444.hu?
Although it was suggested for a short period that the staff might join 444.hu, the merger did not happen, and they instead formed Telex.hu.