# Hungarian police misconduct regarding journalist

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-police-misconduct-regarding-journalist
> Updated: 2026-10-02T21:30:36.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

A controversy emerged involving the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) after internal correspondence was leaked to an HVG journalist. The communication, sent during an inquiry regarding street harassment against women, used derogatory language to describe the journalist, referring to her as a ‘screaming blue wildebeest’. 

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior intervened, with Minister Gábor Pósfai condemning the tone as “unacceptable.” Following a public apology and an internal investigation, the National Police Headquarters (ORFK) concluded its probe. As a result, two staff members were reassigned from the communications department. The police leadership stated they intend to use the incident to improve organizational culture and ensure respectful communication with citizens and journalists.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-02: Hungarian police reassign two staff members after offensive email incident

Two Hungarian police officers have been reassigned from communications roles following an internal investigation into an offensive email sent to an HVG journalist.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-police-reassign-two-staff-members-after-offensive-email-incident

### 2026-09-30: Hungarian Ministry of Interior apologizes to journalist after police insult

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior apologized to journalist Noémi Martini after police correspondence disparagingly referred to her as a ‘screaming blue wildebeest’ during an inquiry into street harassment.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-ministry-of-interior-apologizes-to-journalist-after-police-insult

---
Cite as: Hungarian police misconduct regarding journalist. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-police-misconduct-regarding-journalist