Hungarian Election Winner Magyar Pledges to Suspend State Media, Ensure Press Freedom
Hungarian parliamentary election winner Peter Magyar announced that his new government would suspend state media broadcasts and pass a new media law to ensure press freedom. This addresses criticisms that public media became a government mouthpiece under the previous administration. Magyar also stated that securing domestic fuel supply would be a top priority, necessitating talks with the leadership of Hungary's largest oil company, MOL.
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Central News Agency, Budapest, 15th (Comprehensive foreign news report) – Hungarian parliamentary election winner Peter Magyar said today in an interview on state-run Kossuth Radio that his new government, once in power, would suspend state media broadcasts and pass a new media law to ensure press freedom.
Reuters reported that critics accused outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban of turning public media into a government mouthpiece during his 16 years in power, and that private media was also controlled by allies of Orban's Fidesz party, effectively undermining media independence under Orban's leadership.
For example, over the past 16 years, Orban regularly appeared on Kossuth Radio for interviews, while opposition politicians were rarely invited.
Magyar said today: "Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that reports the truth. We will need some time to pass a new media law, (establish) a new media regulatory authority, and enable state media to fulfill its proper duties with professional conditions."
Critics in the European Union accused Hungary under Orban's rule of undermining democratic norms. Now, with Magyar's Respect and Freedom Party (TISZA) winning a strong majority of 199 seats in the parliament in the election held on the 12th, Orban's crushing defeat opens the door for institutional reform in Hungary.
On the other hand, Magyar also said today that he would need to hold talks with the leadership of MOL, Hungary's largest oil company, and that ensuring domestic fuel supply security would be his top priority in the coming weeks.
In addition, before meeting Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok today, he reiterated to reporters that his government would require Sulyok to step down after taking office. (Compiler: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150415
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Reuters reported that critics accused outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban of turning public media into a government mouthpiece during his 16 years in power, and that private media was also controlled by allies of Orban's Fidesz party, effectively undermining media independence under Orban's leadership.
For example, over the past 16 years, Orban regularly appeared on Kossuth Radio for interviews, while opposition politicians were rarely invited.
Magyar said today: "Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that reports the truth. We will need some time to pass a new media law, (establish) a new media regulatory authority, and enable state media to fulfill its proper duties with professional conditions."
Critics in the European Union accused Hungary under Orban's rule of undermining democratic norms. Now, with Magyar's Respect and Freedom Party (TISZA) winning a strong majority of 199 seats in the parliament in the election held on the 12th, Orban's crushing defeat opens the door for institutional reform in Hungary.
On the other hand, Magyar also said today that he would need to hold talks with the leadership of MOL, Hungary's largest oil company, and that ensuring domestic fuel supply security would be his top priority in the coming weeks.
In addition, before meeting Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok today, he reiterated to reporters that his government would require Sulyok to step down after taking office. (Compiler: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150415
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Keywords: None