Key facts
- Hungary's ruling Tisza party has introduced a bill to reform public media.
- The legislation aims to ensure independent, transparent, and accountable public-service broadcasting.
- The bill proposes splitting MTVA, the current public media holding, into separate radio and television entities.
- A new Independent Public Media Committee will be established to oversee public media.
- The Media Council will also undergo reforms to ensure a more balanced and transparent composition.
- Current public media leaders will have their mandates terminated, with the Culture Minister overseeing an interim period.
BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary's ruling Tisza party has submitted legislation to overhaul the nation's public media system, a central promise following their election victory over former leader Viktor Orban's party. Critics have long argued that public media under Orban's tenure became a government mouthpiece, undermining democratic principles.
The proposed reforms aim to establish independent, transparent, and accountable public-service broadcasting. Key provisions include restructuring MTVA, the current holding company for public media, into separate entities for radio and television broadcasting, and reinstating MTI as a standalone national news agency.