Last week, viewers saw a black screen and an apology for years of misinformation, while senior media figures were removed. Prime Minister Peter Magyar pledged during the election campaign to reform public broadcasting into an independent, trustworthy news service.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Elissa Garcia;

The overhaul follows April’s election, which ended Viktor Orbán’s long rule. Under the previous administration, Hungary’s public broadcasters were widely criticised for political interference after journalists were dismissed and regulatory bodies were filled with government allies. Hungarian journalists have cautiously welcomed the reforms, although questions remain over the future governance and independence of the country’s public service media.