Hungary's main public television channel, M1, has suspended news broadcasts, and the state-run Kossuth radio station has been completely halted as part of a reform initiative to establish independent media. This significant change follows the ousting of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in April 2026, after 16 years of tight control over state media.
New Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the decision on July 7, 2026, emphasizing the need for public media to be "independent and trustworthy." The announcement included a message on M1 that stated, "Public media should not lie. We are sorry for doing it for so long." This marks a new chapter in Hungary's media landscape, with Magyar calling it "the end of propaganda broadcasts."
Reforms to Establish Trustworthy Media
The suspension of news broadcasts from M1 and Kossuth aims to eliminate the legacy of state-controlled propaganda that characterized Orbán's administration. The reforms were a key campaign promise from Magyar, who has vowed to restore credibility in public media.
MTVA, the organization overseeing M1, confirmed that the channel plans to restart in a new format without news programs initially, gradually reintroducing bulletins with a new editorial team. The intention is to ensure that future broadcasts are free from misinformation.
