Hungary’s President Calls for Truth and Independence in Relaunched Public Media

Hungarian President András Baka has called for a transformation of the nation’s public media, urging the newly relaunched broadcaster to prioritize truth and impartiality. Speaking ahead of the August 20 national celebrations, Baka emphasized that public media must serve as a reliable institution for citizens rather than a tool for political agendas. He argued that genuine press freedom requires providing the public with accurate information, allowing them to form independent judgments.

The relaunch of public television news follows a six-week hiatus that began on July 7, when the state-run M1 channel ceased operations during a government-led restructuring. The shutdown was accompanied by an on-air apology for past reporting, which the new administration characterized as dishonest. President Baka cautioned that restoring public trust will require more than just new programming or personnel, insisting that the broadcaster must move beyond the political intent that previously defined its coverage.