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🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Hungary's public TV and radio halt broadcasts for reform

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Hungary's public television and radio have ceased broadcasting as the new government begins reforms.
  • Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the suspension, calling the stations propaganda channels for the former Orbán government.
  • The government plans to relaunch the channels with new programming focused on objectivity and credibility, following a similar move in Poland.

Hungary's public television and radio abruptly stopped broadcasting, displaying apologies on black screens for years of propaganda. Prime Minister Péter Magyar declared it a "historic day," announcing the end of state-controlled media broadcasts.

Public broadcasters must not lie. We apologize for having done so for years.

— Hungarian Public BroadcasterDisplayed on a black screen where broadcasts used to be.

The government aims to reform the public broadcasters, which it accuses of serving as propaganda tools for the previous Viktor Orbán administration. "Public broadcasters must not lie. We apologize for having done so for years," read a message displayed on M1, the largest TV channel, and the broadcaster's news website. Employees of the public broadcaster were reportedly dismissed earlier in the day.

A historic day.

— Péter MagyarDescribing the decision to halt broadcasts.

Magyar stated that regular programming and films would resume on M1 in the evening, but news broadcasts on television, radio, and online would be suspended. This move fulfills an election promise to make the public media independent and credible again. The existing channels will be dismantled and replaced by two new media outlets, with the goal of creating a "truly balanced, objective news service."

Today, the propaganda broadcasts on public broadcasting have come to an end.

— Péter MagyarAnnounced on Facebook.

This action mirrors reforms in Poland, where Prime Minister Donald Tusk also restructured the public broadcaster after his election victory, ending its role as a mouthpiece for the previous populist government. Under Orbán's 16-year rule, Hungarian public media faced increasing government control, with new media laws and the acquisition of commercial channels by pro-government businessmen. Hungary's press freedom ranking dropped significantly during this period.

They must become independent and credible again.

— Péter MagyarStating the goal for the reformed public media.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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