Peter Magyar, the new Prime Minister of Hungary, is trying to free the country's public media from the tight controls of the previous government. This move comes as the former government, led by Viktor Orbán, had turned public media into a tool for political propaganda.
Media Control During Orbán's Era
Since 2010, Orbán has taken control of public networks and enacted new laws that placed state media under his complete control. These laws led to the consolidation of channels and news sites under a single entity called the "Media Services Support and Asset Management Fund" (MTVA). This entity acted as a tool to advance the goals of the right-wing Fidesz party and effectively influenced media content.
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Fidesz, by hiring loyal individuals in public media and utilizing government budgets, was able to turn media into propaganda tools. During this period, the media not only failed to report news but also engaged in distorting facts and promoting conspiracy theories. Peter Kreko, director of the research institute "Political Capital," described this situation as an "information dictatorship" and emphasized that public media were part of this system.
Challenges of the New Government and Promises of Change
Magyar, after winning the election and gaining a historic majority, has promised to end this situation. In an interview with public media, he stated: "We will stop this fake news service." This change could become a new model for other countries striving to reduce government influence over public media.
The new government faces significant challenges. Rebuilding public trust in the media and creating an independent and reliable system are among Magyar's key goals. If this government can achieve these goals, it may serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
As a newcomer politician, Magyar faces many challenges in changing the media landscape. He must be able to rescue independent media from financial troubles and create an environment where journalists can continue their work without fear of surveillance and threats.
Ultimately, Magyar's proposed changes could help revive public media and address challenges related to nationalism and the war in Ukraine. If he succeeds in implementing these changes, he could be seen not only in Hungary but also globally as a successful example of rebuilding state media.
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