{"id":1880596,"date":"2026-04-13T13:58:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1880596"},"modified":"2026-04-13T13:58:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:58:38","slug":"fabricating-proof-the-disinformation-tactics-that-shaped-hungarys-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1880596","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Fabricating proof\u2019: The disinformation tactics that shaped Hungary\u2019s election"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/42\/68\/1200x675_cmsv2_ef63d566-eeb8-5f19-b6df-0e7f696ae2dd-9714268.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2885957-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2885957\" data-cid=\"9720703\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885957-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/07\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_85cebc62-8b73-54fb-b4e5-0c24a5aa57a9-9720703.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man stands at the site of a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in central Beirut, 12 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Lebanon<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hezbollah leader asks Lebanon to cancel Tuesday meeting with Israel\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885930-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2885930\" data-cid=\"9720554\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885930-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/05\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_f7bc43a7-96a0-59f7-b155-85eb75196c1e-9720554.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Fatou, the oldest of Berlin's zoo and also believed to be the world's oldest gorilla, eats vegetables to celebrate her 69th birthday in Berlin\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany marks 69th birthday of zoo\u2019s oldest gorilla\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885948-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2885948\" data-cid=\"9720670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885948-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/06\/70\/189x106_cmsv2_19fcc7bd-511d-5492-83bb-3ea39a534c37-9720670.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A worker poses for photographs by holding a copy of the Wall Street Journal in London, 12 October, 2011\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Judge tosses Trump $10bn defamation suit against Wall Street Journal\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885928-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2885928\" data-cid=\"9720553\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885928-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/05\/53\/189x106_cmsv2_a2d23686-a23b-520a-aa6c-f56a3bc5fcbb-9720553.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Patients receive treatment at a hospital in Damaturu after Air Force strikes in northeastern Nigeria, 12 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Nigeria<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Up to 200 civilians dead in Nigeria after air force misfire on market\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885957-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2885957\" data-cid=\"9720703\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885957-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/07\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_85cebc62-8b73-54fb-b4e5-0c24a5aa57a9-9720703.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man stands at the site of a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in central Beirut, 12 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Lebanon<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hezbollah leader asks Lebanon to cancel Tuesday meeting with Israel\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885930-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2885930\" data-cid=\"9720554\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885930-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/05\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_f7bc43a7-96a0-59f7-b155-85eb75196c1e-9720554.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Fatou, the oldest of Berlin's zoo and also believed to be the world's oldest gorilla, eats vegetables to celebrate her 69th birthday in Berlin\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany marks 69th birthday of zoo\u2019s oldest gorilla\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885948-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2885948\" data-cid=\"9720670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885948-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/06\/70\/189x106_cmsv2_19fcc7bd-511d-5492-83bb-3ea39a534c37-9720670.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A worker poses for photographs by holding a copy of the Wall Street Journal in London, 12 October, 2011\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Judge tosses Trump $10bn defamation suit against Wall Street Journal\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885928-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2885928\" data-cid=\"9720553\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885928-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/05\/53\/189x106_cmsv2_a2d23686-a23b-520a-aa6c-f56a3bc5fcbb-9720553.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Patients receive treatment at a hospital in Damaturu after Air Force strikes in northeastern Nigeria, 12 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Nigeria<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Up to 200 civilians dead in Nigeria after air force misfire on market\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Next<\/p>\n<p>                          Tech News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            \u2018Fabricating proof\u2019: The disinformation tactics that shaped Hungary\u2019s election<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/42\/68\/1536x864_cmsv2_ef63d566-eeb8-5f19-b6df-0e7f696ae2dd-9714268.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Supporters of prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n wave flags during a countryside campaign tour in Kaposv\u00e1r, Hungary, Monday, March 16, 2026 ahead of April 12 parliamentary election\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Supporters of prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n wave flags during a countryside campaign tour in Kaposv\u00e1r, Hungary, Monday, March 16, 2026 ahead of April 12 parliamentary election<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Denes Erdos<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Denes Erdos\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAnna Desmarais\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776088718\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-04-13 15:58:38 +02:00\">13\/04\/2026 &#8211; 15:58 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"16:06\">16:06<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Disinformation analysts identified new tactics ahead of last weekend&#8217;s polls, including fabricated news stories tailored to propaganda narratives, private Facebook groups used to spread party messaging and signs of Russian interference.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--next js-article-content\">\n<p>Hungary&#8217;s parliamentary election was a hotbed of disinformation, ranging from fabricated party platforms to Kremlin-linked influence operations. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After Sunday&#8217;s polls and landmark result, it is worth unpacking exactly what was done to try to sway the vote.<\/p>\n<p>Peter Magyar&#8217;s Tisza party swept to a two-thirds majority of 138 seats in the 199-seat parliament, ousting longtime prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n after 16 years in power.<\/p>\n<p>While concerns about foreign interference, particularly from Russia, drew international attention throughout the campaign, analysts say the vast majority of disinformation circulating ahead of the vote originated at home, not in Moscow. <\/p>\n<p>Szil\u00e1rd Tecz\u00e1r, a journalist with Hungarian fact-checking organisation Lakmusz, estimates at least 90% was domestic in origin \u2014 and when reach and impact are factored in, he says the figure could be even higher.<\/p>\n<p>Of that domestic share, Fidesz was the dominant force and not just the party itself. <\/p>\n<p>Tecz\u00e1r points to the wider ecosystem around it, including media outlets under its influence or control and proxy organisations such as the National Resistance Movement and Megafon, a so-called influencer network, which he describes as two of the most important actors in this campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Euronews Next takes a closer look at the overall narrative of this campaign and some of the new trends in political messaging that emerged, both on and offline, as the vote came down. <\/p>\n<h2>Domestic disinformation dominates the campaign<\/h2>\n<p>Disinformation researchers said that pro-government actors deployed more aggressive tactics during this campaign than in previous elections.<\/p>\n<p>One new tactic included manufacturing news stories built on &#8220;complete disinformation,&#8221; according to Konrad Bleyer-Simon, a research fellow at the European University Institute.<\/p>\n<p>For example, Bleyer-Simon said Orban\u2019s party created a fake party platform for Tisza and leaked it to Index, a Hungarian news site, which published a story claiming that the opposition was planning a major tax hike if it won.<\/p>\n<p>The document was, in fact, a forgery and included fake policy proposals such as taxing cats and dogs, according to Bleyer-Simon. Tisza filed several lawsuits against Index and other media companies for publishing the story.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Watch: Orb\u00e1n vs Magyar \u2014 where do Hungary&#8217;s rivals really stand on Europe?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Orban\u2019s party then used fake policy platforms on campaign posters that they put up throughout the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat I think is different is that now the government is going beyond propaganda and is also creating its own facts on the ground,\u201d he said. \u201cThey tried to fabricate proof for their propaganda.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bleyer-Simon said the reason Orban\u2019s camp had to become more \u201cextreme\u201d in their methods is that they were genuinely &#8220;afraid they might\u2026 lose the elections\u201d \u2014 a fear that ended up materialising over the weekend after Magyar&#8217;s sweeping victory.<\/p>\n<p>To counter this, Tisza party made an effort to go from \u201cvillage to village\u201d to gain support throughout the election, which Bleyer-Simon said made them much stronger against Orban\u2019s party despite the attempts to undermine their credibility.<\/p>\n<h2>A \u2018classic playbook\u2019 of Russian interference<\/h2>\n<p>While the Kremlin&#8217;s fingerprints were definitely noticed in the campaign, disinformation analysts say its reach was more limited than feared.<\/p>\n<p>Russia ran what Alice Lee, an analyst with NewsGuard, called the &#8220;classic playbook&#8221; for election interference \u2014 falsifying news reports with &#8220;egregious claims&#8221; against Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s opponents.<\/p>\n<p>One operation, Matryoshka, specialises in fabricating fake video news reports. <\/p>\n<p>In Hungary, the group manufactured a false video purportedly from French outlet Le Monde, claiming Ukrainian artist Denis Panshenko had been poisoning Hungarian dogs, Lee said.<\/p>\n<p>Another Russian actor involved in the campaign, Storm 1516, published more elaborate articles that mimicked news sites. <\/p>\n<p>One of their major articles said that Orban\u2019s main opponent insulted US President Donald Trump, a claim that received major traction on social media platform X.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">New leaks reveal Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 briefing Russia\u2019s Lavrov on key EU summit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Storm-1516 also targeted other Tisza figures, accusing them of dragging Hungary into the Russia-Ukraine war and threatening to worsen US-Hungarian relations, Lee added.<\/p>\n<p>Why the heightened Russian activity? Lee has a theory. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Russians are interfering more now because they assumed that\u2026 Orb\u00e1n would be pretty safe because he has a strong sort of state media monopoly\u2026 [and] a fairly good hold over the population,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>But much of that interference may have missed its mark. <\/p>\n<p>Lakmusz, the fact-checking organisation, found that many of the Russian campaigns were in English rather than Hungarian and were posted on X \u2014 a platform that is &#8220;not that important&#8221; for Hungarian political discourse compared to Facebook, according to Tecz\u00e1r.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We should be careful not to overexaggerate the effect of\u2026 outright Russian disinformation pieces, because when we look at their reach and spread, we found that these were quite limited,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h2>Advertising restrictions<\/h2>\n<p>New restrictions from Meta and Google forced Hungarian political parties to change tactics to get their messages out to the base on the country\u2019s most popular sites, such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, Bleyer-Simon said.<\/p>\n<p>Last October, Meta banned political advertising on its platforms in the European Union due to \u201clegal uncertainties\u201d. Similar restrictions put in place by YouTube last September prohibit ads from political actors that could influence the outcome of an election or referendum.<\/p>\n<p>The restrictions worked to some extent, according to Bleyer-Simon and Tecz\u00e1r, because there was less propaganda on these social media channels than in other campaigns. <\/p>\n<p>However, Fidesz found ways to get ads on social media, both added.<\/p>\n<p>Fidesz created private Facebook groups such as \u201cFighters Club\u201d with over 61,000 people and the \u201cDigital Civic Circles\u201d group with more than 100,000 people.<\/p>\n<p>A translated description for the Fighter\u2019s Club Facebook group said it was founded by Viktor Orban in 2025 to \u201ceffectively represent Hungary\u2019s interests in the online space\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>The group is invitation-only, and it looks for Hungarians who are \u201cactively ready to act for God, homeland and family,\u201d it wrote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s Fidesz bypassing Meta&#8217;s political advertising rules, researchers warn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWhat Fidesz expected from [the Facebook groups] is to create a structure which can send their supporters to specific social media posts and instruct them to like, share, and comment to boost reach,\u201d Tecz\u00e1r explained, noting that engagement on their posts is not very high.<\/p>\n<p>Both Fidesz-backed groups ran more than 4,000 ads on Meta to encourage users to join them, according to Political Capital, a leading Hungarian NGO.<\/p>\n<p>Other Facebook pages, such as Heart of Hungary \u2014 labelled as an equestrian group \u2014 published five paid ads using a fabricated article accusing Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, a Tisza politician, of recruiting Hungarians to fight the war in Ukraine, Lakmusz said. <\/p>\n<p>Those ads reached at least 100,000 people in a week.<\/p>\n<p>Political Capital highlighted Fidesz used AI videos on Facebook for \u201cnegative campaigning, discrediting and social fear-mongering&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Hungarian opposition Tisza party cements lead ahead of April elections, polls show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>For example, Fidesz party candidate Istv\u00e1n Moh\u00e1csy posted a war-themed AI video that showed the Tisza party taking young Hungarians to the war front. <\/p>\n<p>Other party members, such as Ruszin-Szendi, Tibor Ferenc Halmai and Tam\u00e1s Cseh were also depicted in military uniforms.<\/p>\n<p>Political Capital said that Tisza members also used AI to push back against pro-government narratives attempting to discredit them.<\/p>\n<p>Magyar and several Tisza politicians posted AI-generated TIME Magazine photos on Facebook where they appeared as the Person of the Year, which Political Capital said builds the \u201cmyth of the man who defies power\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>These videos and social media ads are not tracked by Meta Ad Library or other similar tools previously available to researchers, making it harder for them to analyse their spread ahead of the election, Bleyer-Simon concluded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                          Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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|Euronews Tech Talks Podcast<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2883059-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2883059\" data-cid=\"9706957\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Chinese scientists reveal glowing plants that could light cities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2884581-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2884581\" data-cid=\"9714245\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What happens when AI becomes too powerful? Anthropic is finding out<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2885812-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885812\" data-cid=\"9719987\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Humanoid robots are lining up to compete in a half-marathon in China<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2884591-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2884591\" data-cid=\"9714268\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How disinformation affected Hungary&#8217;s tightly fought election<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2884683-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2884683\" data-cid=\"9714766\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2884683-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/47\/66\/480x270_cmsv2_1f0b1a9a-5860-5434-8c2e-115959e75295-9714766.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Legged robot performing analog tests in Marslabor at the University of Basel.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meet the robot dog that could one day sniff out life on Mars<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2884590-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2884590\" data-cid=\"9714267\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2884590-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/42\/67\/480x270_cmsv2_5633b624-cd71-5bf5-a8ab-3f1dd5ecf201-9714267.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - The logo for the Telegram messaging app is seen on a notebook screen in Munich, Germany, Oct. 17, 2022\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Telegram hosts network sharing non-consensual content in Spain, Italy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2884581-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2884581\" data-cid=\"9714245\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2884581-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/42\/45\/480x270_cmsv2_78940bf0-a481-5dd3-8e12-103f2b4c244b-9714245.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logo are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Feb. 26, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What happens when AI becomes too powerful? Anthropic is finding out<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885812-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885812\" data-cid=\"9719987\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885812-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/99\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_b20c13b5-dda5-5190-8814-53205c53de6b-9719987.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Robots in China are preparing for a half marathon\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Humanoid robots are lining up to compete in a half-marathon in China<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2884581-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2884581\" data-cid=\"9714245\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2884581-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/42\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_78940bf0-a481-5dd3-8e12-103f2b4c244b-9714245.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logo are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Feb. 26, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What happens when AI becomes too powerful? Anthropic is finding out<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2877878-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2877878\" data-cid=\"9683091\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2877878-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/68\/30\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_53b99ac8-c2f8-5b84-ad3d-41147a375343-9683091.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File 12.03.2026- Several locations highlighted by Tasnim are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and in Tel Aviv, Israel.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran threatens Big Tech companies in the Middle East by April 1<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2883059-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2883059\" data-cid=\"9706957\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2883059-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/69\/57\/320x180_cmsv2_3e940233-4f2d-5727-8775-49666e2ad3af-9706957.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Genetic engineering creates luminescent plants, bringing &quot;Avatar'' world closer to reality\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Chinese scientists reveal glowing plants that could light cities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2668122-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2668122\" data-cid=\"8827826\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2668122-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/78\/26\/320x180_cmsv2_df6d0cf8-c300-5f64-8f72-5c144123a633-8827826.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Apple CEO Steve Jobs holds up an Apple iPhone at the MacWorld Conference, Jan. 9, 2007, in San Francisco. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Apple turns 50: The long game from scrappy startup to tech titan<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2877123-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2877123\" data-cid=\"9679584\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Space systems: Prepared or at risk? |Euronews Tech Talks Podcast<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2883059-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2883059\" data-cid=\"9706957\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Chinese scientists reveal glowing plants that could light cities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2884581-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2884581\" data-cid=\"9714245\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What happens when AI becomes too powerful? Anthropic is finding out<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885812-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885812\" data-cid=\"9719987\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Humanoid robots are lining up to compete in a half-marathon in China<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2884591-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2884591\" data-cid=\"9714268\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How disinformation affected Hungary&#8217;s tightly fought election<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Hungary&#8217;s parliamentary election was a hotbed of disinformation, ranging from fabricated party platforms to Kremlin-linked influence operations.After Sunday&#8217;s polls and landmark result, it is worth unpacking exactly what was done to try to sway the vote.Peter Magyar&#8217;s Tisza party swept to a two-thirds majority of 138 seats in the 199-seat parliament, ousting longtime prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n after 16 years in power.While concerns about foreign interference, particularly from Russia, drew international attention throughout the campaign, analysts say the vast majority of disinformation circulating ahead of the vote originated at home, not in Moscow.Szil\u00e1rd Tecz\u00e1r, a journalist with Hungarian fact-checking organisation Lakmusz, estimates at least 90% was domestic in origin \u2014 and when reach and impact are factored in, he says the figure could be even higher.Of that domestic share, Fidesz was the dominant force and not just the party itself.Tecz\u00e1r points to the wider ecosystem around it, including media outlets under its influence or control and proxy organisations such as the National Resistance Movement and Megafon, a so-called influencer network, which he describes as two of the most important actors in this campaign.Euronews Next takes a closer look at the overall narrative of this campaign and some of the new trends in political messaging that emerged, both on and offline, as the vote came down.Domestic disinformation dominates the campaignDisinformation researchers said that pro-government actors deployed more aggressive tactics during this campaign than in previous elections.One new tactic included manufacturing news stories built on &#8220;complete disinformation,&#8221; according to Konrad Bleyer-Simon, a research fellow at the European University Institute.For example, Bleyer-Simon said Orban\u2019s party created a fake party platform for Tisza and leaked it to Index, a Hungarian news site, which published a story claiming that the opposition was planning a major tax hike if it won.The document was, in fact, a forgery and included fake policy proposals such as taxing cats and dogs, according to Bleyer-Simon. Tisza filed several lawsuits against Index and other media companies for publishing the story.Orban\u2019s party then used fake policy platforms on campaign posters that they put up throughout the country.\u201cWhat I think is different is that now the government is going beyond propaganda and is also creating its own facts on the ground,\u201d he said. \u201cThey tried to fabricate proof for their propaganda.\u201dBleyer-Simon said the reason Orban\u2019s camp had to become more \u201cextreme\u201d in their methods is that they were genuinely &#8220;afraid they might\u2026 lose the elections\u201d \u2014 a fear that ended up materialising over the weekend after Magyar&#8217;s sweeping victory.To counter this, Tisza party made an effort to go from \u201cvillage to village\u201d to gain support throughout the election, which Bleyer-Simon said made them much stronger against Orban\u2019s party despite the attempts to undermine their credibility.A \u2018classic playbook\u2019 of Russian interference\u00a0\u00a0While the Kremlin&#8217;s fingerprints were definitely noticed in the campaign, disinformation analysts say its reach was more limited than feared.Russia ran what Alice Lee, an analyst with NewsGuard, called the &#8220;classic playbook&#8221; for election interference \u2014 falsifying news reports with &#8220;egregious claims&#8221; against Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s opponents.One operation, Matryoshka, specialises in fabricating fake video news reports.In Hungary, the group manufactured a false video purportedly from French outlet Le Monde, claiming Ukrainian artist Denis Panshenko had been poisoning Hungarian dogs, Lee said.Another Russian actor involved in the campaign, Storm 1516, published more elaborate articles that mimicked news sites.One of their major articles said that Orban\u2019s main opponent insulted US President Donald Trump, a claim that received major traction on social media platform X.Storm-1516 also targeted other Tisza figures, accusing them of dragging Hungary into the Russia-Ukraine war and threatening to worsen US-Hungarian relations, Lee added.Why the heightened Russian activity? Lee has a theory.&#8221;The Russians are interfering more now because they assumed that\u2026 Orb\u00e1n would be pretty safe because he has a strong sort of state media monopoly\u2026 [and] a fairly good hold over the population,&#8221; she said.But much of that interference may have missed its mark.Lakmusz, the fact-checking organisation, found that many of the Russian campaigns were in English rather than Hungarian and were posted on X \u2014 a platform that is &#8220;not that important&#8221; for Hungarian political discourse compared to Facebook, according to Tecz\u00e1r.&#8221;We should be careful not to overexaggerate the effect of\u2026 outright Russian disinformation pieces, because when we look at their reach and spread, we found that these were quite limited,&#8221; he said.Advertising restrictionsNew restrictions from Meta and Google forced Hungarian political parties to change tactics to get their messages out to the base on the country\u2019s most popular sites, such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, Bleyer-Simon said.Last October, Meta banned political advertising on its platforms in the European Union due to \u201clegal uncertainties\u201d. Similar restrictions put in place by YouTube last September prohibit ads from political actors that could influence the outcome of an election or referendum.The restrictions worked to some extent, according to Bleyer-Simon and Tecz\u00e1r, because there was less propaganda on these social media channels than in other campaigns.However, Fidesz found ways to get ads on social media, both added.Fidesz created private Facebook groups such as \u201cFighters Club\u201d with over 61,000 people and the \u201cDigital Civic Circles\u201d group with more than 100,000 people.A translated description for the Fighter\u2019s Club Facebook group said it was founded by Viktor Orban in 2025 to \u201ceffectively represent Hungary\u2019s interests in the online space\u201d.The group is invitation-only, and it looks for Hungarians who are \u201cactively ready to act for God, homeland and family,\u201d it wrote.\u201cWhat Fidesz expected from [the Facebook groups] is to create a structure which can send their supporters to specific social media posts and instruct them to like, share, and comment to boost reach,\u201d Tecz\u00e1r explained, noting that engagement on their posts is not very high.Both Fidesz-backed groups ran more than 4,000 ads on Meta to encourage users to join them, according to Political Capital, a leading Hungarian NGO.Other Facebook pages, such as Heart of Hungary \u2014 labelled as an equestrian group \u2014 published five paid ads using a fabricated article accusing Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, a Tisza politician, of recruiting Hungarians to fight the war in Ukraine, Lakmusz said.Those ads reached at least 100,000 people in a week.Political Capital highlighted Fidesz used AI videos on Facebook for \u201cnegative campaigning, discrediting and social fear-mongering&#8221;.For example, Fidesz party candidate Istv\u00e1n Moh\u00e1csy posted a war-themed AI video that showed the Tisza party taking young Hungarians to the war front.Other party members, such as Ruszin-Szendi, Tibor Ferenc Halmai and Tam\u00e1s Cseh were also depicted in military uniforms.Political Capital said that Tisza members also used AI to push back against pro-government narratives attempting to discredit them.Magyar and several Tisza politicians posted AI-generated TIME Magazine photos on Facebook where they appeared as the Person of the Year, which Political Capital said builds the \u201cmyth of the man who defies power\u201d.These videos and social media ads are not tracked by Meta Ad Library or other similar tools previously available to researchers, making it harder for them to analyse their spread ahead of the election, Bleyer-Simon concluded.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2026\/04\/13\/fabricating-proof-the-disinformation-tactics-that-shaped-hungarys-election&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/42\/68\/1200x675_cmsv2_ef63d566-eeb8-5f19-b6df-0e7f696ae2dd-9714268.jpg&#8221;] Lebanon Hezbollah leader asks Lebanon to cancel Tuesday meeting with Israel No Comment Germany marks 69th birthday of zoo\u2019s oldest gorilla USA Judge tosses Trump $10bn defamation suit against Wall Street Journal Nigeria Up to 200 civilians dead in Nigeria after air force misfire on market Lebanon Hezbollah leader asks Lebanon to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1880596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1880596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1880596"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1880596\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1880596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1880596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1880596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}