After Orban's Fall Hungary's Media Landscape Shifts

The media network built up under Viktor Orban's government is beginning to change rapidly following his electoral defeat. Just weeks after the victory of the opposition led by Peter Magyar, several prominent pro-Orban figures lost their positions and some outlets cancelled their main news programmes.

The shift was also felt in public television, where opposition voices began to emerge even before the new government took office. Magyar described state media as a "factory of lies" and promised both a reform of media legislation and the creation of a new media authority.

During his 16 years in power, Orban gradually strengthened his control over the media. A number of private outlets disappeared or were taken over by businessmen close to the government. Hungary fell in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom ranking from 23rd place in 2010 to 74th in 2026.

The new government has announced a review of public media funding and a reduction in state advertising directed to the pro-government media conglomerate KESMA.

(reuters, bak)