BUDAPEST, June 12 – The Tisza party in Hungary introduced comprehensive legislation Friday aimed at reforming the nation’s public broadcasting system, which opponents both domestically and internationally claim transformed into a propaganda tool during Viktor Orban’s previous administration.
Reforming state media represented a central campaign promise from Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza party, which defeated Orban decisively in April’s electoral contest. The party’s constitutional majority provides the authority needed to reverse Orban’s changes that opponents argue weakened democratic institutions.
The proposed legislation outlines several major changes:
The primary objective focuses on reestablishing independent, transparent and responsible public broadcasting services.
The proposal would reorganize MTVA, the current holding company managing state media, by dividing it into separate entities for radio and television operations while reestablishing MTI as an independent national news service.
A new Independent Public Media Committee would be created to safeguard media independence, supervise operations and budgets, and participate in selecting leadership positions.
This committee would operate with balanced representation, including equal participation from governing and opposition parties along with independent media industry representatives.
A Public Media Council would oversee adherence to public service standards outlined in a Public Service Charter.
The legislation also targets the Media Council within the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, seeking more balanced composition and transparent decision-making while implementing stronger conflict of interest regulations.
Current public media executives would lose their positions under the reforms, with Culture Minister Zoltan Tarr assuming temporary oversight while new leadership is selected through open applications.
