A unprecedented shift has occurred in Hungary's media landscape. The largest state-owned TV channel, M1, traditionally considered the main mouthpiece of the ruling party, has officially ceased broadcasting news programs and apologized to viewers for years of falsehoods. This event is a direct consequence of the change of power in the country following the parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026.
"Public Media Cannot Lie"
At 16:00, the M1 channel broadcast was urgently halted. Instead of the usual programming schedule, an official address to the audience appeared on the screens. The text of the message, displayed against the channel's logo, read: "Public media cannot lie. We apologize for having done so for so many years! Public media are currently transforming to be independent and authoritative in the future. The news service is temporarily suspended. Stay tuned for updates!"
In synchronization with the TV channel, other key resources of the MTVA media holding were also stopped. Visitors to the news portal Hirado.hu were greeted with the same apology text, while Kossuth Radio aired only a musical selection, without news bulletins.
Historic Step by the New Government
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar called this event a historic moment in his Facebook post. The cessation of state-funded party propaganda in public media was one of the key promises of the Tisza party during the election campaign.
The M1 channel, reorganized into a news resource under the government of Viktor Orbán, was the flagship of the Fidesz party's propaganda. However, after the landslide victory of the Tisza party in the elections on April 12, 2026, when it secured 138 out of 199 mandates, the situation changed radically. Orbán's party received only 54 seats, bringing an end to 16 years of rule.
Purge at the MTVA Media Holding
The transformation process began with personnel changes even before the complete halt of news broadcasts. András P. Horváth, the interim General Director of MTVA appointed last week, relieved Zoltán Németh, the director of M1 channel, of his duties on Tuesday. Zoltán Mezei, the deputy director for content services, also resigned.
Changes also affected the presenters. Specifically, security escorted the well-known TV host Attila Cseke out of the MTVA building. At 13:00, the MTI news agency published an announcement regarding the new interim leadership of public media. Permanent leaders will be selected through a competition only after the transition period is completed.
New Broadcasting Format
That same evening, at 19:56, the M1 channel was temporarily relaunched, but in a new format — without news and featuring film screenings. The broadcast resumed with the showing of the film "Witness".
An official statement clarifies that the transition will not affect the offering of entertainment programs. Sports events will continue to be broadcast on the M4 Sport channel. The Bartók Radio program can be temporarily listened to on the Kossuth Radio frequency, for now without news. Parallel to the creation of a new news management, news programs will be gradually relaunched according to the schedule.
According to Péter Magyar, the constitutional majority allowed his party to repeal and review laws passed by Fidesz, with the aim of restoring the system of democratic checks and balances. In particular, an amendment is being prepared under which individuals who previously held the office of Prime Minister for at least eight years will not be able to be re-elected.
