Hungary’s opposition Fidesz has announced a new demonstration in Budapest following the dramatic suspension of news broadcasts on the country’s public media channels, with former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán urging supporters to “peacefully raise our voices against authoritarian rule.”
The protest comes just hours after M1 suspended its news service and Kossuth Radio halted its regular programming as Hungary’s newly appointed public media leadership started the overhaul of the state broadcaster.
Fidesz-backed group calls demonstration outside MTVA headquarters
According to 444.hu, the protest was organised for 7:00 PM on Tuesday outside the MTVA headquarters on Kunigunda Road by Védvonal, a civic organisation founded by Fidesz. Following the suspension of M1’s news broadcasts, the privately owned Hír TV declared that it had become “the only remaining television voice of the Hungarian right.”
“Our voice will not fall silent – it is only now becoming stronger,” the broadcaster wrote on its website.
Public media suspends news broadcasts
Earlier on Tuesday, viewers of M1 saw regular programming replaced by a black screen displaying the following message:
“Public media cannot lie. We apologise for having done so for years. State media is now being overhauled so that it can be independent and credible in the future. News service is temporarily suspended. Stay tuned!”
At the same time, Kossuth Radio also suspended its normal broadcasts, temporarily relaying Bartók Radio instead. Sports programming on M4 Sport, including ongoing FIFA World Cup matches, has continued without interruption.
MTVA later confirmed that its newly appointed interim chief executive, András Horváth, together with an interim professional management team, had ordered the immediate suspension of what it described as propaganda and temporarily halted news services across all public media platforms.
The organisation said M1 would resume broadcasting later in the evening in a temporary format featuring films rather than news programming.
Orbán calls for Thursday protest at Sándor Palace
Separately, former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who also serves as president of Fidesz, called on supporters to attend another demonstration scheduled for Thursday at 6:00 PM outside Sándor Palace, the official residence of Hungary’s president.
Former President János Áder is expected to deliver a speech at the event. In a Facebook post, Orbán wrote:
“We call on every responsible Hungarian to join us on Thursday at 6:00 PM in front of Sándor Palace so that together, peacefully, we can raise our voices against authoritarian rule.”
He argued that the government’s proposed constitutional amendment targeting the office of the president poses a broader threat.
“What is happening today to the President of the Republic could happen to anyone tomorrow. Anyone the Prime Minister dislikes can be intimidated, threatened or dismissed from their job.”
Orbán concluded by urging supporters to “stand up together for the rule of law and democratic values.”
If you missed it: BREAKING: Hungary’s M1 television goes off air with on-screen message towards viewers – UPDATE: Magyar, Orbán
Protest linked to constitutional amendment
According to organisers, the demonstration is directed against what they describe as the “authoritarian rule of the Tisza government.” They argue that the government’s proposed 17th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law would undermine the rule of law by allowing the removal of the sitting president, dismissing Constitutional Court judges and introducing changes they say would restrict democratic rights.
The organisers are calling on supporters to protest what they describe as an “unprecedented concentration of political power”.
If you missed it: New constitution on the horizon? Hungary debates reforms that would reshape the state: What would the 17th constitutional amendment change?
