Demonstration at Hungarian Public Media Headquarters

The news in Hungarian

Translation

On Saturday, a large number of people gathered in front of MTVA in Budapest. The protest was organised by Peter Magyar, the leader of the Tisza Party. The aim of the protest was to oppose governmental propaganda and to demand more balanced media reporting. Several well-known figures took part, including actor Ervin Nagy. The protest proceeded peacefully.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who organized the demonstration in Budapest?

The demonstration was organized by Magyar Péter, the leader of the Tisza Party.

Question 2: What was the reason for the protest at the Hungarian Public Media Headquarters?

The protest was against government propaganda and aimed to demand more balanced media news.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌06/10/2024

On Saturday afternoon, thousands gathered outside the headquarters of Hungary's public media organisation, MTVA, on Kunigunda Street, in a protest orchestrated by Magyar Péter, leader of the opposition Tisza Party. The demonstration aimed to address concerns over alleged government propaganda and demand more balanced media coverage.

The protest, which brought together citizens and several notable figures, was sparked by claims that the Hungarian public media—comprising national television, radio, and news agencies—serves more as a conduit for government promotion rather than fulfilling its role as a public service medium.

Nagy Ervin, a renowned actor and one of the early speakers, critiqued the exclusion of dissenting voices, claiming there is no place for a whole nation on a blacklist. He expressed disappointment at the scarcity of courageous artists willing to stand against this reality.

Other speakers echoed similar sentiments. Tóth Imre, known as "Bruti" in the comedy circuit, recounted an encounter during a European Parliament debate hosted by MTVA, highlighting perceptions of those within the media as "news fabricators".

Reports from the scene noted a large video screen displaying live segments of M1, Hungary's primary news channel, although attendees expressed scepticism about the likelihood of the channel covering the protest within their broadcasts. However, moments from the protest were indeed featured in their 15:30 news bulletin.

Demonstration at Hungarian Public Media Headquarters (Illustration)

Prominent cultural figures and activists took the stage, with Nagy Bandó András lamenting what he sees as signs of political regression. Similar views were communicated through video messages from Hungarian supporters abroad, underscoring the global plea for freedom of speech.

The demonstration also stood as a platform for Magyar Péter to present a list of 16 demands aimed at transforming MTVA into a genuinely independent media body. These include leadership changes within the media's governing bodies and a cessation of programs primarily supported by foreign state sponsors, notably those in Russian and Chinese.

However, in a counter-statement, the public media establishment disclosed that they had extended invitations for Magyar and other opposition members to participate in their programming multiple times, suggesting the protest leader seldom took up these offers.

The protest culminated in a symbolic call for "media detox", urging supporters to avoid state-influenced channels and seek balanced reporting. Despite the passionate rhetoric, the crowd largely remained peaceful throughout.

With the promise of continued action, Magyar Péter announced plans for another demonstration on October 23rd, the anniversary of Hungary's 1956 revolution, at the famous Bem Statue, a significant site of historical protest.

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