Why I Selected This Topic & My Research Process
I selected Hungary as my country to research because it is the country where my closest friend is from. She is near and dear to my heart, and Hungary is to hers. Whenever I see her, she has a new story or piece of information to share with me about Hungary. Because of this, I chose it as the topic of my research so that I can deeper understand and appreciate Hungary.
I knew my research question was going to be about freedoms of speech and the press, since that is the Hungarian issue that my friend is most passionate about. I decided to delve into the real effects of a democracy-turning-into-dictatorship, and investigate the similarities which it has to the past, i.e. socialism and communism. For my hypothesis, I knew by common sense that if you take away people's liberty, it will affect them. For my thesis, I chose to focus on small groups of people: the general public, and the youth. However, I fully understand that many more are affected, each in their own ways. I cannot speak for the people of Hungary who are under this pressurized government, but one thing is for sure: no one should have their basic freedoms violated.
Before researching, I expected to hear about different perspectives and ways the government was affecting Hungarian citizens. What I did not expect to discover, however, was the "blacklist" in Hungary. As I conducted my interview with Lili Fajta, she introduced the concept of the list to me. Afterwards, I knew I had to dive deeper, so I researched more about the blacklist. I never expected to stumble upon such a large and controversial piece of evidence, but I'm glad I got the opportunity to learn more about it and its effects.
This research project has not only brought me closer with my Hungarian friend, but also has provided me with an insight into the issues they face, as well as an appreciation for my own freedom of speech.
I knew my research question was going to be about freedoms of speech and the press, since that is the Hungarian issue that my friend is most passionate about. I decided to delve into the real effects of a democracy-turning-into-dictatorship, and investigate the similarities which it has to the past, i.e. socialism and communism. For my hypothesis, I knew by common sense that if you take away people's liberty, it will affect them. For my thesis, I chose to focus on small groups of people: the general public, and the youth. However, I fully understand that many more are affected, each in their own ways. I cannot speak for the people of Hungary who are under this pressurized government, but one thing is for sure: no one should have their basic freedoms violated.
Before researching, I expected to hear about different perspectives and ways the government was affecting Hungarian citizens. What I did not expect to discover, however, was the "blacklist" in Hungary. As I conducted my interview with Lili Fajta, she introduced the concept of the list to me. Afterwards, I knew I had to dive deeper, so I researched more about the blacklist. I never expected to stumble upon such a large and controversial piece of evidence, but I'm glad I got the opportunity to learn more about it and its effects.
This research project has not only brought me closer with my Hungarian friend, but also has provided me with an insight into the issues they face, as well as an appreciation for my own freedom of speech.
Works Cited
“13 Beautiful Towns And Cities In Hungary.” Hand Luggage Only. Accessed 24 Dec. 2018.