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Peter Magyar Pledges To Freeze State News Funding, Accuses Public Media of Orbán Propaganda

The move signals a break with Orbán-era media control.

Overview

  • Magyar, speaking on state radio and M1 on Wednesday, said he will stop financing public news services until they act as impartial public-service outlets.
  • His M1 appearance became a viral on-air clash as he labeled the system a propaganda machine and faulted hosts for years of one-sided coverage.
  • Public broadcasters called his remarks threats, and any freeze would choke a stream of state money and government ads that has long sustained pro-government outlets.
  • He said he will rewrite media rules and cited a two-thirds parliamentary majority that could speed changes to how public broadcasting operates.
  • President Tamas Sulyok confirmed he will mandate Magyar to form a government in early May, as EU officials voice cautious hope that a rule-of-law reset could unlock about €18 billion in frozen funds and ease Hungary’s veto on joint support for Ukraine.