Finance
Hungarian State News Staff Push for Editorial Freedom as Magyar Vows Shake‑up
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 16, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 16, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleQuick Summary
Hungarian state news agency MTI journalists demanded restoration of impartial coverage after Tisza party’s election win; outgoing PM‑elect Péter Magyar pledged to suspend state news until public service standards return.
Hungarian State Media Faces Major Reforms as Journalists Demand Editorial Freedom
Calls for Impartiality and Planned Media Reforms in Hungary
By Krisztina Than
Journalists Demand Editorial Autonomy
BUDAPEST, April 16 (Reuters) - Over 90 journalists from Hungarian state news agency MTI have demanded the immediate restoration of impartial news coverage following election winner Peter Magyar's pledge to shake up state media, according to a letter obtained by Reuters.
Magyar, whose centre-right TISZA party scored a landslide victory in Sunday's elections, said his government will suspend the news broadcast of public state media until unbiased news coverage can be ensured as part of wider moves to restore press freedoms.
Critics at home and abroad have said Hungarian state media news broadcasts became a government mouthpiece under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose government gradually shaped public media to its mould after being voted into office in 2010.
The Journalists' Letter
"Our goal is that the editorial autonomy of the national news agency should be restored," the journalists wrote in the letter dated April 15. "So that again we could decide which events we report about, and how the coverage should go, based on our own professional principles."
The letter, first reported by news site HVG, was addressed to Anita Altorjai, CEO of Duna Médiaszolgáltató Zrt, the holding that groups all state TV, MTI and radio channels, as well as Daniel Papp, CEO of MTVA, which is responsible for content production.
The two bodies did not immediately respond to Reuters questions seeking comment.
Government Response and Planned Reforms
Media Law and Authority Overhaul
'MAJOR CHALLENGE'
Magyar said his government, with its strong supermajority in parliament, would pass a new media law, set up a new media authority and "set up the professional conditions for state media to actually do what it is meant to do."
Ensuring Truthful Public Service Media
"Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth," Magyar told Kossuth state radio on Wednesday, where Orban had been a weekly guest while opposition politicians rarely got invited.
He is expected to set up his government by the middle of next month.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Observers and media analysts say the task is a major challenge that could shape Hungary's media landscape for a long time to come.
"The new government has a major opportunity to begin addressing Hungary's rights crisis by restoring the rule of law and reinvigorating democratic institutions," Lydia Gall, senior Europe and Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement this week.
(Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
Key Takeaways
- •Over 90 MTI journalists called for editorial autonomy and impartiality amid Tisza’s media reform plans (letter dated April 15)
- •Péter Magyar’s Tisza party won a landslide victory (two‑thirds supermajority) in April 12 election, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16‑year rule
- •Magyar intends to suspend state media broadcasts until unbiased reporting is ensured, proposing new media law and authority
Frequently Asked Questions about Hungarian state news staff push for editorial freedom as Magyar vows shake‑up
1What changes to state media has Peter Magyar promised?
Peter Magyar has pledged to suspend state media news broadcasts and introduce reforms to ensure unbiased news coverage and restore press freedoms.
2Why are Hungarian state news journalists demanding editorial autonomy?
Over 90 journalists from MTI want editorial independence restored so they can decide news coverage based on professional principles instead of government direction.
3How have critics described Hungarian state media under Viktor Orban?
Critics say state news broadcasts became a government mouthpiece under Viktor Orban, losing impartiality since he took office in 2010.
4What new measures will Magyar's government introduce for state media?
Magyar's government plans a new media law, a media authority, and professional conditions to ensure state media broadcasts factual and unbiased news.
5What challenges are expected with the proposed reforms to Hungarian state media?
Observers say restoring editorial independence and press freedoms will be a significant challenge that could reshape Hungary's media landscape for years.
