In brief
Following the ouster of Viktor Orbén, Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that the main public television channel M1 and the state radio station Kossuth would suspend news broadcasts. On a black screen, M1 aired an apology for years of false reporting, pledging independence and trustworthiness. The move is seen as a repudiation of the propaganda that dominated during Orbén’s 16-year tenure. Critics, including Orbén himself, labelled it political censorship, while supporters view it as a historic clean-up of public media.
Hungary's main public television channel and its radio counterpart have pulled the plug on their news programmes as part of a sweeping media overhaul.
\The suspension was announced by Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar after the fall of Viktor Orb\u00e9n in 2024. On a stark black screen, M1 delivered a public apology, stating that it had lied for years and that it would now operate with greater independence and trustworthiness.
\Similarly, state-owned Kossuth radio temporarily ceased broadcast of news and instead played classical music. The move is widely interpreted as a repudiation of the propaganda that defined Orb\u00e9n's 16-year reign.
\Orb\u00e9n criticized the pivot as a tactic of the opposition, accusing the ruling party, Tisza, of tyranny, and urged supporters to turn to the politically aligned Hir TV. In contrast, supporters of Magyar praise the reforms as a historic clean-up that ensures a free and honest media landscape in Hungary.
\While the directive does not yet specify a new content schedule, officials say the channels will resume with regular programmes and a newly structured editorial team, restoring a balanced and reliable news service to the Hungarian public.
\For more context, view the accompanying image used by Reuters in reporting this historic shift.
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