Hungary’s main public television channel M1 and its state‑run radio station Kossuth have halted all news broadcasts this Tuesday, following a bold announcement by Prime Minister Péter Magyar to cleanse the media of propaganda built during Viktor Orbán’s reign.
The reform’s signature moment was a black screen that lit up a message in white writing: “Public media should not lie. We are sorry for doing it for so long.” The statement also promised that “public media will now be reformed so it will be independent and trustworthy.”
Orbán, who has ruled Hungary for 16 years and was ousted in April, used state media to control information and shape public opinion. His tenure saw the tightening of editorial policy, the suppression of dissenting voices, and the spread of misinformation, earning criticism from European partners.
Magyar’s campaign platform promised the removal of Orbán’s editorial influence. Speaking to the nation, he called the pause a “historic day” that ended “propaganda broadcasts on public media.” He also vowed a transition to a new broadcast authority that would guarantee press freedom and objective journalism.
While M1 will resume in a new format without traditional news bulletins, the station will gradually reintroduce short news segments. Kossuth, too, has begun airing the classical‑music station Bartok Radio on its frequencies, and its official website remains offline. Both organisations are expected to rebuild under the new leadership of a freshly appointed editorial team.
Political observers note that the reforms coincide with broader EU moves to support democratic standards in member states. The European Union has praised Magyar’s commitment to media liberty, hinting at future liberalisation efforts across the region.
