Hungary Suspends State News Broadcasts to Reform Public Media

Hungary has temporarily suspended news broadcasts on its main public television channel, M1, and halted programming on the state-run Kossuth radio station as part of a major media reform announced by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. A message aired on M1 apologised for “lying for years” and said public media would be restructured to become independent and trustworthy.

The move follows the defeat of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government was widely accused of maintaining tight control over state media during his 16 years in power. Magyar called the development a “historic day” and described it as the end of propaganda in Hungary’s public broadcasting system.

State broadcaster MTVA said M1 would return with a new format and editorial team before gradually reintroducing news bulletins. Orbán criticised the decision, calling it an example of government overreach, while the reforms are being presented by the new administration as a step toward strengthening media independence and press freedom.

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