Hungary's main public television channel M1 and public radio station Kossuth suspended their news broadcasts on Tuesday afternoon, displaying messages apologizing for years of propaganda and announcing plans for reform towards independent and trustworthy public media [1, 2, 3]. The suspension marks a shift following Péter Magyar’s Tisza party securing a two-thirds supermajority in parliament in April 2026, promising to dismantle the media control established during Viktor Orbán's 16-year prime ministership [1, 2].

M1’s on-screen message stated, "Public media should not lie. We are sorry for doing it for so long. Public media now will be reformed so it will be independent and trustworthy. Our news programme is currently suspended. Stay tuned!" [1]. Kossuth radio stopped its usual programming and switched to a classical music channel, Bartók Radio, during the suspension period [1, 2]. Both M1 and Kossuth’s public media websites went offline [1, 2].

Péter Magyar called the day historic, tweeting, "Today marks the end of propaganda broadcasts on Hungary’s public media platforms. They lied by day, they lied by night, they lied on every frequency. That ends today" [3]. Speaking to reporters, he added: "They lied at night, they lied during the day, they lied on every wavelength. That is now over" [2].

Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the suspension as "Another example of Tisza tyranny! Interested in the truth? Watch Hír TV," referring viewers to the Fidesz-affiliated news channel [1, 2].

M1 resumed broadcasting Tuesday evening but without news programs. The broadcaster said news bulletins would be gradually reintroduced under a new editorial team [1, 2]. The government has appointed an interim management team to oversee the restructuring, installing new heads for online news, radio, and communications [3]. Several prominent former figures in state television, including news director Zsolt Németh and political correspondent Attila Császár, were dismissed [3].

Beyond the public media sector, the new government replaced top anchors and management at private broadcaster TV2, previously aligned with Orbán’s administration [2].

The suspension and restructuring are seen as key steps in fulfilling the Tisza party’s election promise to reform state media and reduce political influence on news coverage.