Hungary's state media are facing an uncertain future as Péter Magyar begins his premiership, with journalists bracing for sweeping reforms after years of pro-government control under Viktor Orbán. The once-powerful outlets, which operated as government mouthpieces, now fear a purge as Magyar, who described them as a 'factory of lies', has vowed to suspend state media coverage and introduce a new press law.
Under Orbán, an estimated 80% of Hungarian media was controlled by Fidesz loyalists, including state and private outlets, while independent journalists struggled against smear campaigns and bureaucratic hurdles. Reporters Without Borders noted that Orbán had 'nearly wiped out Hungarian independent journalism' without imprisoning or killing a single journalist.
Despite this, independent media proved resilient in the recent election, breaking scandals that helped erode public support for Fidesz. Gábor Polyák, a professor of media law at Eötvös Loránd University, called the moment 'our best chance in Hungary's history' to reckon with the failures of the past.
Magyar, who travelled to 700 towns and villages over two years, wove independent reporting into his campaign, bringing stories to audiences accustomed to Fidesz-curated news. He has promised a new media authority to allow state media to resume under better conditions, though the scope of the reforms remains unclear.
Some Fidesz-linked private outlets are expected to survive, but Polyák suggested their loyalty may shift depending on Orbán's political future. Days after Magyar's victory, more than 90 journalists from state news agency MTI signed a letter calling for the restoration of editorial independence.
