“Fight Club”: How Fidesz Is Building a Digital Army for the 2026 Election

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The Telex report covers the “Fight Club” event organized by Fidesz as part of its preparations for the 2026 election. Most of the participants interviewed had little to no idea what the event was actually about, often giving vague or contradictory answers about its purpose. The organization reflects the party’s activist network and its broader communication machinery at work.

The report also touches on a bill submitted by János Halász, which could restrict domestic funding for civil organizations and independent media under the justification of preventing “foreign influence.” Supporters of the government frequently claim — without presenting concrete evidence — that certain media outlets (such as Telex or 444) “serve foreign interests.”

The report includes instances where journalists were obstructed from doing their work by an associate of Fidesz party director Gábor Kubatov. According to Fidesz’s communication, these efforts are all part of building a “digital freedom fight” to secure victory in 2026.