Népszabadság, one of Hungary’s most storied newspapers, will return on 8 October — precisely a decade after its abrupt closure — as a digital public-affairs outlet and a weekly printed edition, its leadership announced on Thursday via MTI.
A fraught legacy
The statement recalled that Népszabadság, long regarded as a pillar of Hungarian press history, was shut down on October 8, 2016 by its then-owner in collusion with the Orbán government. After 1990 it had established itself as an independent daily and a dominant force in Hungary’s media landscape; its newsroom served as a training ground for generations of journalists, many of whom now hold senior roles at key independent outlets.
Revival conditions and branding
Although the title ceased publication, its intellectual legacy and trademark endured. Relaunching the paper hinged on securing permission to use the Népszabadság brand — a licence unanimously approved by the Népszabadság Association, which unites prominent figures from the modern era of the newspaper.
Format and editorial mission
The renewed Népszabadság defines itself as an online public-affairs news outlet. At https://nszo.hu/, it will cover Hungarian and international politics, society and the economy with background reports, analysis, features and interviews. In addition, a weekly print edition will survey the week’s most important themes and events.
Media group consolidation with Népszava
The group will also incorporate Népszava: its content will appear in the Népszabadság weekly, uniting the two titles’ intellectual legacies on a shared platform.
If you missed our previous articles concerning the Népszabadság suspension:
Demonstrators show solidarity with daily Népszabadság
Freedom House frowns on Népszabadság sale
Ownership and funding
The publisher of the revived Népszabadság is Liberty Press Kft, which also holds publishing rights to Jelen and Népszava. Ninety per cent of the company will be owned by the newly registering 4Sight Media Group Zrt, with the remaining 10 per cent held by Ákos Tóth, the incoming editor-in-chief. 4Sight Media Group Zrt will provide sufficient funding for two years of operations at launch.
The media group was founded by four Hungarian individuals through their corporate vehicles, citing a long-term opportunity in the transformation of Hungary’s media market. They argue that diminishing state influence — described as having “asphyxiated” the sector — could create a new market environment in which a large, effective public-affairs newsroom can be built.
Editorial team and launch details
Asked by MTI, editor-in-chief Ákos Tóth said the paper’s motto would be: “It changes with the world.” His four deputies will be Zoltán Lakner, Brigitta Szabó, Dóra Varga and Gábor Horváth.
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Tóth said the newsroom would be built primarily on the existing Népszava staff — which has already absorbed many former Népszabadság journalists — and that the 64-page launch weekly will feature public-affairs coverage alongside content largely drawn from Népszava’s Szép Szó supplement. He added that the printed edition’s size would vary according to how successfully advertising space is sold, noting that there is already advertiser interest.
