Hungarian public media outlets suspended broadcasting on Tuesday afternoon following a management overhaul ordered by the newly elected government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
The suspension marks a significant disruption to the state-controlled media structure that had been in place under former nationalist leader Viktor Orbán's 16-year tenure.
>>> Egypt Discovers Byzantine City and Greco-Roman Tombs in Major Find
Prime Minister Celebrates 'Historic Day'
Magyar, who took office after an April election victory, celebrated the transmission halt on social media.
"A historic day. Today marks the end of propaganda broadcasts on public media platforms.
They lied at night, they lied during the day, they lied on every wavelength. That is now over," Magyar said.
The newly elected leader won a legislative supermajority by centering his campaign on a complete restructuring of the country's political and media landscape.
Following his electoral victory, Magyar prioritized reforms within the state-funded broadcasting sector to eliminate biased reporting, aiming for "a truly balanced, objective news service."
To implement these changes, the prime minister signed a decree mandating a "comprehensive and immediate" evaluation of the state media framework and its financial operations.
>>> Dutch Households Overpay Millions for Variable Energy Contracts
On-Screen Apology and Programming Changes
During the transmission halt, the primary public television station M1 replaced its standard programming with an on-screen apology to the public.
"Public media should not lie. We are sorry for doing it for so long," the message read.
The broadcast text further explained the network's upcoming structural transition while news programming remains offline.
"Public media now will be reformed so it will be independent and trustworthy. Our news programme is currently suspended.
Stay tuned!" the message stated.
Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the shutdown on social media, urging his supporters to watch alternative party-linked networks instead, calling it "another example of Tisza tyranny!"
>>> Dutch Households Face Higher Energy Costs After July Tariff Revisions
According to the state media umbrella group MTVA, M1 television was scheduled to resume broadcasting later Tuesday evening without regular news segments, while Kossuth radio temporarily filled its frequencies with classical music programming.
