Prime Minister Péter Magyar has condemned violent remarks made about him during a phone-in programme on a privately owned television channel.
The controversy centres on Paláver, a political phone-in programme broadcast by Hír TV, a Hungarian commercial television channel owned by Mediaworks company. In his post, Magyar shared recordings of two callers making violent remarks about him and suggested that the situation had at least improved since the beginning of the week.
One caller suggested that a sniper should eliminate him, while another proposed chaining him to a railing. Magyar responded with a sarcastic Facebook post, criticising the broadcaster for giving airtime to such statements.
“At least there is progress. Earlier this week they wanted to eliminate me with a sniper on Hír TV; yesterday they only wanted to chain me up,” the prime minister wrote.
His comments came after the broadcaster dismissed one of its presenters over her handling of the earlier incident.
What did the callers exactly said about the Hungarian prime minister?
The first incident occurred on Tuesday, 15 September, when an angry female caller questioned why there was no sniper or skilled marksman in Hungary who could eliminate Magyar.
The woman subsequently claimed that she was not inclined towards murder and did not like violence. During a later broadcast, a male caller suggested putting a strap around the prime minister’s hand and chaining him to a railing.
TV presenter fired following sniper remarks
The first incident had already resulted in disciplinary action at Hír TV. On Wednesday, 16 September, the broadcaster’s owner, Mediaworks, announced that presenter Nóra Palányi had been dismissed for failing to interrupt the female caller immediately.
According to a statement published by Media1 , the company considered her response a serious professional error. The presenter had only distanced herself from the remarks after a delay, contrary to the broadcaster’s established protocol.
Mediaworks apologised to viewers, listeners and those affected by the incident. It also launched an internal investigation to prevent similar situations in the future.
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Magyar speaks out against aggressive political rhetoric
In his Saturday statement, Magyar said he did not hold the individual callers personally responsible for their aggressive remarks, arguing that they had been influenced by Hungary’s previous political leadership.
However, he criticised the television channel for providing a platform for such comments and accused it of encouraging hostility. The prime minister described Hír TV as a propaganda outlet and argued that its continued promotion of what he called hatred and aggression should not have to be tolerated.
Magyar ended his post with a reference to the planned Békemenet, or Peace March, a demonstration traditionally associated with Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party.
The Civil Cooperation Forum (CÖF), which has traditionally organised the event, announced on Friday that it considered holding the proposed 23 October march premature. The organisation said another march could take place at a later date.
Magyar also commented on the cancellation of the planned 23 October Peace March (Békemenet), a demonstration traditionally associated with former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party.
“Two days ago, the weary warriors announced that the Peace March would return on October 23. Today, they said it would not take place after all because it was ‘premature’,” Magyar wrote.
He added sarcastically: “In other words, it has been cancelled due to a lack of interest and public money.”
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