In brief
Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the temporary halt of news programs on the country's flagship public broadcaster M1 and state radio Kossuth, citing a need to remove propaganda from the airwaves. A message on M1 apologized for years of false reporting, pledging a new, independent media format. Kossuth replaced its news feed with classical music and its website went offline. The state broadcaster MTVA plans to restart with a re‑branded format and a new editorial team, while Magyar emphasizes this day marks the end of propaganda. The move follows the ousting of former PM Viktor Orbán after 16 years of tight media control.
Hungary's main public television channel has halted news broadcasts, while a state‑run radio station has been suspended altogether, in a bid to make its media independent and trustworthy.
Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who ruled for 16 years, had tightly controlled state media until his ouster in April.
New Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the announcement marked the "end of propaganda broadcasts" and promised a new public service media system.
M1 displayed a black screen with white text apologising for "lying for years" and stating the news programme was suspended with a promise to return under a new editor team.
Kossuth radio’s airtime was instead filled with classical music from Bartok Radio and its website went offline.
MTVA, the broadcaster’s owner, said the channel would temporarily restart in a new format without news programmes, with bulletins gradually introduced alongside a new editorial team.
Magyar described the move as a "historic day" that ends the era of propaganda on public media platforms.
Orbán criticised the reforms as "tyranny" and urged his followers to watch the Hir TV channel, tied to his party Fidesz.
Since taking office, Magyar has vowed regime change and has been reshaping media law, including the removal of a major public broadcaster’s news director.
