
Patrik shares his journey from working in the private sector to becoming a journalist after feeling unfulfilled in his corporate roles. He discusses his first major story about abuse at the Budapest Ballet Academy, which helped launch his investigative journalism career.
The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in Hungary's current political climate, where independent media faces significant challenges under Prime Minister Orbán's government. Patrik emphasizes the importance of focusing on facts rather than opinions when reporting stories and discusses how Direkt36 and other independent outlets work to hold power accountable despite propaganda efforts to discredit them.
Patrik also discusses the changing media consumption habits of younger Hungarians, noting a recent increase in interest in political news after years of apathy. He recommends several trustworthy independent news outlets in Hungary and expresses pride in Direkt36's documentary "Dynasty" about the Orbán family's wealth accumulation, which became the most-viewed Hungarian political content on YouTube with over 3.6 million views.
Throughout the interview, Patrik shares insights on journalistic ethics, the role of investigative reporting in democratic societies, and his personal approach to the profession, emphasizing public service over accolades.