Hungary’s public airwaves went dark on Wednesday as Prime Minister Peter Magyar declared an abrupt break with the broadcasting system long associated with Viktor Orban’s nationalist era, saying the shutdown marked the start of a broader effort to rebuild state media’s independence.
Media influence served as a central pillar of Mr Orban’s 16-year rule, a period in which he recast the central European country as a self-described “illiberal” democracy.
For Mr Magyar, who removed Orban from power at the ballot box in April, restoring the autonomy of Hungary’s public broadcasters stood as a signature campaign pledge — and one he has now moved to put into motion.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (L) and former prime minister Viktor Orbán (R)
“A historic day. Today marks the end of propaganda broadcasts on public media platforms,” Mr Magyar wrote on Facebook.
By this afternoon, transmission had stopped on both Kossuth radio and M1, Hungary’s main public television channel.
On M1, viewers saw a black screen carrying a blunt message: “Public media should not lie. We are sorry for doing it for so long.”
“Public media now will be reformed so it will be independent and trustworthy. Our news programme is currently suspended. Stay tuned!” it continued.
A message on Hungary’s M1 TV station saying: ‘Public media should not lie. We are sorry for doing it for so long. Public media now will be reformed so it will be independent and trustworthy. Our news programme is currently suspended. Stay tuned!’
On Kossuth’s frequencies, the usual talk and news output gave way to Bartok Radio, a classical music programme, AFP journalists reported.
The websites for both M1 and Kossuth were also down.
In a statement, Hungary’s state media umbrella group MTVA said M1 television would resume broadcasting in the evening, but without news programmes. News bulletins will return gradually as a new editorial team is set up, it added.
Other public service programmes will be unaffected by the changes.
Mr Orban, pushing back online, called the move “Another example of Tisza tyranny!” and urged viewers “interested in the truth” to turn instead to Hir TV, a channel linked to his Fidesz party.
Mr Magyar’s Tisza party surged to victory in April on promises of “regime change” and a decisive break from the Orban years, capturing a two-thirds majority in parliament.
Since taking office, Mr Magyar’s government has acted quickly to dismantle what it describes as the former leader’s hold over the state — passing a broad package of anti-corruption measures and amending the constitution in a way that effectively prevents Mr Orban from running again.
The campaign has not been limited to public broadcasters. The new government has also set its sights on private media outlets owned by businessmen allied with Orban.
At TV2, a major private broadcaster, the shake-up has already reached the newsroom: the main news anchors have been replaced and the news director has been pushed out since Mr Magyar’s election win.
