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Hungary’s Magyar vows public media overhaul, says government will not interfere

16.04.2026 10:00
Hungary’s incoming prime minister Peter Magyar has said he will suspend public media news broadcasts, overhaul media oversight and pass a new media law, while insisting his government would not interfere in newsroom work.
Hungarys incoming prime minister Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, speaks to the media in Budapest on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Hungary's incoming prime minister Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, speaks to the media in Budapest on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Speaking on public Radio Kossuth and later on public television channel M1 on Wednesday, Magyar said one of his first steps after taking office would be to halt news programming in what he called a propaganda outlet until objective coverage could be ensured.

“Hungarians deserve public media that tell the truth,” Magyar said, announcing plans for a new media law, a new supervisory body and guarantees for press freedom.

“After forming the government, one of our first steps will be to suspend news broadcasting in this propaganda medium”, he said on Radio Kossuth.

Magyar said he had last appeared in public media in September 2024 and had not received a single invitation during the parliamentary election campaign, which ended on Sunday.

“It took the votes and consent of 3 million people to let the leader of the strongest opposition party back in and give him media space,” he said.

He added that he had no “desire for revenge” and that the issue was not personal.

“It is not about me, but about the fact that every person deserves public media that tell the truth,” he said.

Magyar said on M1 that his government “will not interfere” in the work of public media.

He also urged President Tamas Sulyok to convene the inaugural session of parliament as soon as possible.

Magyar accused the outgoing authorities of destroying documents in the foreign and defense ministries, saying he had recordings to support the claim.

Asked about suspended European Union funds, Magyar said some of the money would go to hospitals and that part of it would reach Hungary by late August.

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP