Hungary’s public broadcaster has launched its revamped flagship news programme, with its first edition featuring comments from opposition figures and critics of the government: a notable change in tone following a major overhaul of the public media’s news operation.

The new Híradó aired for the first time at 6 AM on 20 August, Hungary’s national holiday, with presenter Máté Kis at the helm. The programme returned to the air after news services on M1 were suspended on 7 July, when several public media channels temporarily went off air.

Opposition views featured in first broadcast

The first story focused on newly elected President András Baka taking office. Alongside members of the government, the report featured Gábor Horn, chairman of the board of trustees of the Republikon Foundation.

The programme also presented the positions of opposition parties, Fidesz and Mi Hazánk, on Baka’s election, Telex writes.

Critical voices were included in several subsequent reports as well. One segment covered an interactive map published by the Prime Minister’s Office showing government support received by civil organisations. The report also included a post by Péter Takács, a former state secretary for health who has been critical of the government.

The revamped Híradó also reported on the public broadcaster itself. Viewers were told that the public media organisation had terminated all contracts with companies owned by businessman Gyula Balásy, while another report covered the candidates for the newly established Independent Public Media Council. The programme noted that professional organisations had criticised the selection process.

Another report featured Kata Janecskó, a journalist with investigative outlet Direkt36, discussing previously undisclosed child protection reports obtained by the organisation following legal proceedings.

New faces and a retro-inspired sports bulletin

According to the programme credits, the new Híradó is directed by István Lakatos, while its editor is Balázs Bodacz, the temporary head of the news directorate. The first edition was followed by the new TeleSport sports bulletin, whose visual design deliberately evokes the classic look of the programme from the 1990s.

Weather presenter Tamás Tóth, who previously worked in the same role for the public broadcaster, then delivered the weather forecast. The noon edition of Híradó will be presented by Szimonetta Mészáros, a former member of the Nemzeti Sportrádió and Petőfi Rádió teams.

From 21 August, the public broadcaster is scheduled to air two editions of Híradó each day, at noon and 7.30 PM. On 20 August, however, four editions are scheduled, at 6 AM, noon, 7.30 PM and 10 PM.

Who is the new Híradó presenter?

The broadcaster has also introduced Máté Kis, who presented the first edition. Kis graduated from the University of Szeged with a degree in economics specialising in tourism. He began working in television while still a university student, joining Szeged Television as a reporter in 2020. He later became an anchor on the channel’s news programme before moving to the revamped public media Híradó.

Sport has also played an important role in his life: he previously competed in canoeing and has also worked as a football referee.

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Public media overhaul under scrutiny

The launch comes amid a broader restructuring of Hungary’s public media operation. Before the new Híradó went on air, reports emerged that some members of the previous M1 team would remain in their positions, including staff who had worked on material criticised as government propaganda.

Bodacz subsequently rejected the suggestion that members of the old team had been involved in preparing the 20 August broadcast. He said on Telex’s Facebook page that none of the presenters or reporters working on the first edition had previously worked for M1 in their respective roles, while the former deputy operational news director had also left his position.

The revamped news operation is therefore facing close scrutiny as viewers assess whether the changes represent a genuine editorial transformation of Hungary’s public media — or primarily a change in presentation and personnel.

The first Híradó also formed part of a 20 August broadcast schedule led by Antónia Mészáros and Ádám Bősze, who returned to the public broadcaster’s screens for the national holiday.

During the subsequent festive programming, Bősze described the day as the beginning of the public media’s renewal. The programme also featured teacher and influencer József Balatoni, known as “Jocó bácsi”, and physicist and influencer Janka Sára Molnár. AI-generated visuals were also used for some of the programme’s transitions and background images.

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