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On 14 March 2013<ref name=index /> the Hungarian Human Resources Minister [[Zoltán Balog (politician)|Zoltán Balog]] awarded Szaniszló the Táncsics award, one of Hungary's highest state awards for journalism, named after [[Mihály Táncsics]].<ref name=euro>{{cite news|title=Hungarian government awards prize to far-right journalist|url=http://www.euronews.com/2013/03/18/web-hungarian-government-awards-prize-to-far-right-journalist/|accessdate=28 March 2013|newspaper=Euronews|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=hersh>{{cite news|last=Hershfeld|first=Rachel|title=Racist Hungarian Journalist Returns State Prize|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/166451#.UVORkb8eNzo|accessdate=28 March 2013|newspaper=Arutz Sheva|date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=thorpe>{{cite news|last=Thorpe|first=Nick|title=Anger in Hungary at prize for 'anti-Semitic' reporter|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21834834|accessdate=28 March 2013|newspaper=BBC|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=paterson>{{cite news|last=Paterson|first=Tony|title=Hungarian government awards Tancsics prize for journalism to notorious anti-Semite Ferenc Szaniszlo|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hungarian-government-awards-tancsics-prize-for-journalism-to-notorious-antisemite-ferenc-szaniszlo-8538178.html|accessdate=24 March 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=17 March 2012}}</ref>
On 14 March 2013<ref name=index /> the Hungarian Human Resources Minister [[Zoltán Balog (politician)|Zoltán Balog]] awarded Szaniszló the Táncsics award, one of Hungary's highest state awards for journalism, named after [[Mihály Táncsics]].<ref name=euro>{{cite news|title=Hungarian government awards prize to far-right journalist|url=http://www.euronews.com/2013/03/18/web-hungarian-government-awards-prize-to-far-right-journalist/|accessdate=28 March 2013|newspaper=Euronews|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=hersh>{{cite news|last=Hershfeld|first=Rachel|title=Racist Hungarian Journalist Returns State Prize|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/166451#.UVORkb8eNzo|accessdate=28 March 2013|newspaper=Arutz Sheva|date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=thorpe>{{cite news|last=Thorpe|first=Nick|title=Anger in Hungary at prize for 'anti-Semitic' reporter|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21834834|accessdate=28 March 2013|newspaper=BBC|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=paterson>{{cite news|last=Paterson|first=Tony|title=Hungarian government awards Tancsics prize for journalism to notorious anti-Semite Ferenc Szaniszlo|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hungarian-government-awards-tancsics-prize-for-journalism-to-notorious-antisemite-ferenc-szaniszlo-8538178.html|accessdate=24 March 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=17 March 2012}}</ref>


Szaniszló has previously suggested that he regards Jews as "garbage," and referred to Hungary's Roma minority, who face discrimination, as "human monkeys."<ref name=paterson /><ref name=guard>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Leigh|title=International: EU is turning a blind eye to discrimination against Roma, say human rights groups|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/30/european-union-roma-human-rights|accessdate=29 April 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=31 July 2010}}</ref><ref name=mcdougall>{{cite web|last=McDougall|first=Gay|title=Human Rights Council: Fourth Session|url=http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G07/111/13/PDF/G0711113.pdf?OpenElement|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=28 May 2013|quote=The Independent Expert highlights that the Hungarian Government has demonstrated significant political will and dedicated considerable resources and attention to address the needs of, and problems faced by minorities in general. She considers the unique Hungarian system of minority self-governments to be a valuable contribution to efforts to enable cultural autonomy for many officially recognized minority groups in Hungary. However, at the local level, due to higher priority needs of Roma communities facing severe discrimination, exclusion and poverty, the system has largely been diverted from its intended function to preserve Roma culture, identity and language. The Roma have been the most affected by Hungary’s difficult transition period from socialism to a market-based economy. Economic decline and privatization of State industries caused a disproportionately high percentage of employed Roma to lose their jobs. Nationwide Roma unemployment rates continue to greatly exceed those of other minorities and the majority population, exacerbated by exclusion from labour markets due to widespread discrimination and anti-Roma prejudice. Statistics reveal a life expectancy for Roma of over 10 years less than that of the general population. Education of Roma is characterized by widespread segregation on racial grounds and poor educational opportunities, particularly for Roma girls. Thousands of Roma live without running water, electricity and other basic services. The Roma population face serious discrimination, exclusion and unusually high levels of poverty.}}</ref><ref name=jta>{{cite news|title=Hungarian journalist to return state honor, denies anti-semitism|url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/hungarian-journalist-to-return-state-honor-denies-anti-semitism|accessdate=24 March 2013|newspaper=Haaretz|date=21 March 2013}}</ref>
Szaniszló has previously suggested that he regards Jews as "garbage," and referred to Hungary's Roma minority, as "human monkeys."<ref name=paterson /><ref name=guard>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Leigh|title=International: EU is turning a blind eye to discrimination against Roma, say human rights groups|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/30/european-union-roma-human-rights|accessdate=29 April 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=31 July 2010}}</ref><ref name=mcdougall>{{cite web|last=McDougall|first=Gay|title=Human Rights Council: Fourth Session|url=http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G07/111/13/PDF/G0711113.pdf?OpenElement|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=28 May 2013|quote=The Independent Expert highlights that the Hungarian Government has demonstrated significant political will and dedicated considerable resources and attention to address the needs of, and problems faced by minorities in general. She considers the unique Hungarian system of minority self-governments to be a valuable contribution to efforts to enable cultural autonomy for many officially recognized minority groups in Hungary. However, at the local level, due to higher priority needs of Roma communities facing severe discrimination, exclusion and poverty, the system has largely been diverted from its intended function to preserve Roma culture, identity and language. The Roma have been the most affected by Hungary’s difficult transition period from socialism to a market-based economy. Economic decline and privatization of State industries caused a disproportionately high percentage of employed Roma to lose their jobs. Nationwide Roma unemployment rates continue to greatly exceed those of other minorities and the majority population, exacerbated by exclusion from labour markets due to widespread discrimination and anti-Roma prejudice. Statistics reveal a life expectancy for Roma of over 10 years less than that of the general population. Education of Roma is characterized by widespread segregation on racial grounds and poor educational opportunities, particularly for Roma girls. Thousands of Roma live without running water, electricity and other basic services. The Roma population face serious discrimination, exclusion and unusually high levels of poverty.}}</ref><ref name=jta>{{cite news|title=Hungarian journalist to return state honor, denies anti-semitism|url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/hungarian-journalist-to-return-state-honor-denies-anti-semitism|accessdate=24 March 2013|newspaper=Haaretz|date=21 March 2013}}</ref>


According to critics, the [[Second Cabinet of Viktor Orbán|Orbán government]] has courted far right voters since its victory in the [[Hungarian parliamentary election, 2010|2010 Hungarian election]] that saw the [[Jobbik|Jobbik Party]], often described as fascistic, win 17% of the national vote. Socialist opposition MP [[István Nyakó]] called the award a political calculation seeking "the applause of the extreme right," a criticism raised by some European newspapers.<ref name=thorpe /><ref name="levi">{{cite news|last=Levi|first=Jonathan|title=Politics Spills Onto Stage in Budapest|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/arts/05iht-angels05.html|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="ozsvath">{{cite news|last=Ozsvath|first=Stephan|title=Antisemitischer TV-Moderator gibt Staatspreis zurück|url=http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/ungarn418.html|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Tagesschau|date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=fluck>{{cite news|last=Flückiger|first=Paul|title=Ungarn ehrt antisemitischen Journalisten|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/ferenc-szaniszlo-ungarn-ehrt-antisemitischen-journalisten/7943088.html|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel|date=17 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="sudd">{{cite news|title=Regierung verleiht Orden an antisemitischen Journalisten|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/rechtskonservative-in-ungarn-regierung-verleiht-orden-an-antisemitischen-journalist-1.1626414|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Suddeutsche Zeitung|date=17 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="thedrel">{{cite news|last=Thedrel|first=Arielle|title=Hongrie : Viktor Orban met l'extrême droite à l'honneur|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2013/03/18/01003-20130318ARTFIG00412-hongrie-viktor-orban-met-l-extreme-droite-a-l-honneur.php|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Le Monde|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=salzmann /><ref name="tarquini">{{cite news|last=Tarquini|first=Andrea|title=Orban decora tre razzisti antisemiti dall'Ungheria nuova sfida all'Europa|url=http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2013/03/17/news/decorati_orban-54775715/|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=La Repubblica|date=17 March 2013}}</ref>
According to critics, the [[Second Cabinet of Viktor Orbán|Orbán government]] has courted far right voters since its victory in the [[Hungarian parliamentary election, 2010|2010 Hungarian election]] that saw the [[Jobbik|Jobbik Party]], often described as fascistic, win 17% of the national vote. Socialist opposition MP [[István Nyakó]] called the award a political calculation seeking "the applause of the extreme right," a criticism raised by some European newspapers.<ref name=thorpe /><ref name="levi">{{cite news|last=Levi|first=Jonathan|title=Politics Spills Onto Stage in Budapest|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/arts/05iht-angels05.html|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="ozsvath">{{cite news|last=Ozsvath|first=Stephan|title=Antisemitischer TV-Moderator gibt Staatspreis zurück|url=http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/ungarn418.html|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Tagesschau|date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=fluck>{{cite news|last=Flückiger|first=Paul|title=Ungarn ehrt antisemitischen Journalisten|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/ferenc-szaniszlo-ungarn-ehrt-antisemitischen-journalisten/7943088.html|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel|date=17 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="sudd">{{cite news|title=Regierung verleiht Orden an antisemitischen Journalisten|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/rechtskonservative-in-ungarn-regierung-verleiht-orden-an-antisemitischen-journalist-1.1626414|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Suddeutsche Zeitung|date=17 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="thedrel">{{cite news|last=Thedrel|first=Arielle|title=Hongrie : Viktor Orban met l'extrême droite à l'honneur|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2013/03/18/01003-20130318ARTFIG00412-hongrie-viktor-orban-met-l-extreme-droite-a-l-honneur.php|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=Le Monde|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=salzmann /><ref name="tarquini">{{cite news|last=Tarquini|first=Andrea|title=Orban decora tre razzisti antisemiti dall'Ungheria nuova sfida all'Europa|url=http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2013/03/17/news/decorati_orban-54775715/|accessdate=27 July 2013|newspaper=La Repubblica|date=17 March 2013}}</ref>

Revision as of 17:46, 12 November 2016

Ferenc Szaniszló (born 7 October 1960) is a Hungarian right-wing media figure and a former broadcaster for Echo TV, a conservative television service in Hungary. In 2013 Szaniszló received Hungary's prestigious Táncsics journalism award for his earlier work, including reports on the fall of the Soviet Union and the Yugoslav Wars, but returned it following criticism over anti-Semitic and anti-Roma remarks broadcast nationally on Echo TV.

Career

Szaniszló was born in Csenger in 1960, and grew up in Csegöld and Fehérgyarmat, both in east Hungary. He attended University in Moscow, and was subsequently stationed there as an employee of the Hungarian daily paper Magyar Hírlap.[1]

Working for Budapest television, Szaniszló reported on the collapse of the Soviet Union,[2] and on the conflict between Serb and Hungarian speaking populations in Yugoslavia.[3] Later, Szaniszló covered the Kosovo war in Serbia, interviewing Albanian villagers and political leaders.[4]

In Hungary, Szaniszló worked as an editor for Duna TV news between 2005-2007.[5] Since 2008 he has worked for the television chain Echo TV, a "favorite forum among Hungarian neofascists" according to Le Monde.[6] Following the Ajka alumina plant accident in October 2010, Szaniszló claimed that the incident was caused by the International Monetary Fund, and bombing by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.[5]

Returned Táncsics award

Roma minority in Hungary (census 2001), by localities

On 14 March 2013[1] the Hungarian Human Resources Minister Zoltán Balog awarded Szaniszló the Táncsics award, one of Hungary's highest state awards for journalism, named after Mihály Táncsics.[7][8][9][10]

Szaniszló has previously suggested that he regards Jews as "garbage," and referred to Hungary's Roma minority, as "human monkeys."[10][11][12][13]

According to critics, the Orbán government has courted far right voters since its victory in the 2010 Hungarian election that saw the Jobbik Party, often described as fascistic, win 17% of the national vote. Socialist opposition MP István Nyakó called the award a political calculation seeking "the applause of the extreme right," a criticism raised by some European newspapers.[9][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Szaniszló's receipt of the Táncsics award was immediately criticized by Hungarian and international media, by the Israeli ambassador Ilan Mor, and by U.S. ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis.[10][19] A dozen former recipients of the Táncsics returned their awards in protest.[21] In response, and following a request by minister Balog, Szaniszló returned his award. He denied the charge of racism and stated that he was "a victim of machinations by Israel and the United States".[13] Balog stated that Szaniszló's award primarily intended to acknowledge the media figure's previous work, and said that he only later learned of Szaniszló's racist remarks.[21] On 22 March Balog wrote to the Ambassador of the United States, stating that he had immediately admitted his mistake in honoring Szaniszló; he countered that the Government of the United States had made the same error as Hungary in preparing to honor Egyptian Samira Ibrahim.[22] The Ambassador said she was pleased to see that Minister Balog had corrected his mistake.[23]

Responding to the incident, Jobbik Party president Gábor Vona stated that Szaniszló had won a "moral victory" in an interview with Hungary's Szent Korona Rádió (Holy Crown Radio).[24]

References

  1. ^ a b "Szaniszló kitüntetése legitimálja a gyűlöletkeltést" [Awarding Szaniszló legitimizes incitement of hatred]. index.hu (in Hungarian). 14 March 2013.
  2. ^ Szaniszlo, Ferenc (20 February 1989). "Yeltsin on restructuring and Soviet leaders". BBC. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ "Other reports on Croatia: Hungarian-populated village in Slavonia fighting Chetniks receives ultimatum". BBC. 11 July 1991. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ "Yugoslavia: Albanian leaders on negotiation positions, arms, tactics". BBC. 11 September 1998. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. ^ a b "Stanislaus earned legitimize hatred". Index.hu. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  6. ^ Stolz, Joelle (29 March 2012). "Prime au fascisme en Hongrie". M - Le Monde. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Hungarian government awards prize to far-right journalist". Euronews. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  8. ^ Hershfeld, Rachel (21 March 2013). "Racist Hungarian Journalist Returns State Prize". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  9. ^ a b Thorpe, Nick (18 March 2013). "Anger in Hungary at prize for 'anti-Semitic' reporter". BBC. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  10. ^ a b c Paterson, Tony (17 March 2012). "Hungarian government awards Tancsics prize for journalism to notorious anti-Semite Ferenc Szaniszlo". The Independent. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  11. ^ Phillips, Leigh (31 July 2010). "International: EU is turning a blind eye to discrimination against Roma, say human rights groups". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  12. ^ McDougall, Gay. "Human Rights Council: Fourth Session" (PDF). United Nations. Retrieved 28 May 2013. The Independent Expert highlights that the Hungarian Government has demonstrated significant political will and dedicated considerable resources and attention to address the needs of, and problems faced by minorities in general. She considers the unique Hungarian system of minority self-governments to be a valuable contribution to efforts to enable cultural autonomy for many officially recognized minority groups in Hungary. However, at the local level, due to higher priority needs of Roma communities facing severe discrimination, exclusion and poverty, the system has largely been diverted from its intended function to preserve Roma culture, identity and language. The Roma have been the most affected by Hungary's difficult transition period from socialism to a market-based economy. Economic decline and privatization of State industries caused a disproportionately high percentage of employed Roma to lose their jobs. Nationwide Roma unemployment rates continue to greatly exceed those of other minorities and the majority population, exacerbated by exclusion from labour markets due to widespread discrimination and anti-Roma prejudice. Statistics reveal a life expectancy for Roma of over 10 years less than that of the general population. Education of Roma is characterized by widespread segregation on racial grounds and poor educational opportunities, particularly for Roma girls. Thousands of Roma live without running water, electricity and other basic services. The Roma population face serious discrimination, exclusion and unusually high levels of poverty.
  13. ^ a b "Hungarian journalist to return state honor, denies anti-semitism". Haaretz. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  14. ^ Levi, Jonathan (4 April 2013). "Politics Spills Onto Stage in Budapest". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  15. ^ Ozsvath, Stephan (21 March 2013). "Antisemitischer TV-Moderator gibt Staatspreis zurück". Tagesschau. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  16. ^ Flückiger, Paul (17 March 2013). "Ungarn ehrt antisemitischen Journalisten". Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  17. ^ "Regierung verleiht Orden an antisemitischen Journalisten". Suddeutsche Zeitung. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  18. ^ Thedrel, Arielle (18 March 2013). "Hongrie : Viktor Orban met l'extrême droite à l'honneur". Le Monde. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  19. ^ a b Salzmann, Marcus (24 March 2013). "Hungary: National award for notorious Anti-Semite". World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  20. ^ Tarquini, Andrea (17 March 2013). "Orban decora tre razzisti antisemiti dall'Ungheria nuova sfida all'Europa". La Repubblica. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  21. ^ a b Dunai, Martin (21 March 2013). "Hungary asks reporter to return award over anti-Semitism row". Reuters. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  22. ^ http://www2.magyarhirlap.hu/balog-a-kettos-merce-az-usa-nak-art. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ http://www.eletmenete.hu/megnyilt-az-elet-menete-alapitvany-klubja-budapesten.html
  24. ^ "Szaniszlo Ferenc returns the honor". Holy Crown Radio. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
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