Hungary Moves to Dismantle Orbán’s Media Legacy with Sweeping Public Broadcasting Overhaul.

Hungary’s Public Broadcasting Reform Takes Shape

According to Espreso.tv: Hungary’s parliament is currently reviewing a bill that would fundamentally restructure the country’s public broadcasting system. The proposed changes involve breaking up the MTVA media conglomerate and establishing an Independent Public Media Committee. This reform is a central plank of the election platform of the Tisza Party, which secured a constitutional majority in the April 2026 parliamentary elections.

The legislation aims to restore independent public broadcasting. Under the plan, MTVA would be split into separate entities responsible for television and radio operations. The national news agency MTI would regain its status as an independent organization. A new Independent Public Media Committee would also be created, ensuring equal representation from the government, opposition, and independent media professionals.

Oversight and Stricter Regulations

The Public Media Council will be tasked with enforcing public broadcasting principles. The council will be restructured for greater balance, and its decision-making processes will become more transparent. Conflict-of-interest rules will also be tightened. The current leadership of state media will have its authority terminated. During the transition period, state media will be managed by Culture Minister Zoltán Tarr. These measures are part of the broader agenda of the new government led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who was sworn in on May 9, 2026, and has already lifted the state of emergency imposed by his predecessor, Viktor Orbán.

This reform of Hungary’s public broadcasting system could dramatically reshape the country’s media landscape by fostering greater independence and transparency in state-controlled outlets. It also signals the new administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and loosening the grip of the previous government. How this reform is implemented will serve as a key indicator of Hungary’s political transformation and its impact on press freedom.