Hungary's state television resumes news broadcasts after 44-day suspension

Return to broadcasting after 44-day suspension

Hungarian public television channel M1 resumed news broadcasts at 06:00 on Thursday, 20 August 2026, ending a 44-day suspension ordered by the government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The shutdown began on 7 July 2026 as part of an initiative to overhaul state media following the defeat of Viktor Orbán in the April parliamentary elections. During the hiatus, the channel displayed a black screen with an apology for years of biased reporting under the previous administration. The resumption coincided with Saint Stephen's Day, Hungary's national holiday celebrating the foundation of the state. Under the new programming structure, M1 has ceased round-the-clock rolling news to make room for cultural programming and films.

First bulletin and political balance

The inaugural 25-minute morning broadcast opened with a report on the swearing-in of Hungary's new president, 73-year-old András Baka, a former Supreme Court judge removed under Orbán. The coverage featured statements from members of Magyar's Tisza party alongside reactions from the opposition Fidesz and the far-right Mi Hazánk party, both of which criticized Baka's selection. In addition to domestic political reaction, the bulletin addressed environmental issues, reporting on regional drought conditions and the operational impact on the Paks nuclear power plant. Independent news outlet Telex assessed that the broadcast presented balanced coverage that included government criticism. Alarmist narratives concerning immigration, European Union policy, and the Ukraine war, which dominated programming under the previous administration, were absent from the broadcast.

It is completely clear: the documented editorial practice violated the principles of the public service mandate.

Restructuring and newsroom staffing disputes

The transition is being managed by an interim leadership team appointed by the government to oversee internal audits and drafting of a new media law. State media holding company Kozmedia, previously known as MTVA, announced on social media that no personnel previously involved in news broadcasts contributed to Thursday's programme. However, several employees told AFP that while select presenters and reporters were dismissed, the broader newsroom staff remains largely unchanged. Telex reported, based on an internal email from an employee, that numerous editors and journalists who produced content under the previous administration retain their positions. Media law specialist Gábor Polyák noted that previous management routinely breached statutory requirements by directing what staff could and could not cover from above.

Next steps for public media leadership

The interim management plans to conduct professional and public consultations regarding long-term standards across the state network. Kozmedia incorporates television channels including M1, public radio stations, and national news agency MTI. The government aims to select a permanent director general through a public tender process scheduled to finish by late October 2026. This incoming executive will be tasked with executing institutional reforms and restoring public trust across the network. Magyar, a pro-European conservative who campaigned on institutional reform, described the overhaul of state broadcasting as an essential campaign commitment.