Radical rights : framing freedom of expression and press freedom in the illiberal state: the case of Hungary

Abstract

Exploring political contestation at the intersection of human rights and democracy, this thesis examines discursive construction of freedom of speech and press freedom in Hungarian right-wing politics. Focusing on Jobbik-Fidesz interaction over rights framing, the study highlights radical right influence on mainstream discourse and interaction effects on the wider political environment. Actors' frames and framing strategies are analysed within their larger discursive context of meta narratives and master frames using methods of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). While Jobbik and Fidesz diverge in their framing of hate speech and the limits of freedom of expression, they meet in a common conceptualization of a guided press freedom, with serious implications for the functioning of independent media. It is further argued that Fidesz's appropriation of Jobbik master frames marks their radicalization, increasing radical right-mainstream border permeability and legitimizing radical right ideas and imagery in mainstream political discourse. Key words: Right-wing radicalism, freedom of expression, press freedom, liberal democracy, illiberalism, critical discourse analysis, Hungary.