Hungarian business funding of Megafon network

Investigations by Direkt36 and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) have detailed significant financial support provided to Megafon, a pro-government social media influence network, by wealthy Hungarian businessmen.

Records indicate that companies owned by Lőrinc Mészáros transferred at least 4.5 billion HUF to Megafon between 2022 and 2024, accounting for roughly one-third of the organization’s total revenue during that period. Specific contributions included 310 million HUF from V-Híd Zrt. in 2022 and 217 million HUF from R-Kord Kft. in 2023, with V-Híd Zrt. reportedly providing 3 billion HUF in 2024 alone.

Further findings show that Vakond Via Kft., owned by construction mogul László Szíjj, donated approximately 300 million HUF in cash grants distributed across 2024 and 2025.

Following the electoral defeat of the Fidesz party in April, Megafon has reportedly downsized significantly, reducing its staff from 72 to three and taking its website offline. These funding revelations have been highlighted by Prime Minister Péter Magyar in discussions regarding the funneling of funds into pro-Fidesz media outlets.