Magyar proposed to dismiss the head of the media department

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has made a proposal to dismiss Andrasz Koltai, chairman of the National Media and Communications Authority.
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“At my suggestion, the head of the National Media Department, Andras Koltai, will be dismissed today,” Magyar said on his Facebook page.

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In 2021, Koltai became the head of a formally independent government organization responsible for regulating news agencies. His term of office expired last week along with the terms of office of the heads of state media after the adoption of amendments to the law on mass media.

The Hungarian parliament approved a law on the reform of state-owned media in late June. He was supported by 145 deputies, 39 against. According to the law, state-owned media holdings will be liquidated in 30 days, independent organizations will be created in their place, and an independent public council consisting of six representatives from the ruling and opposition parliamentary groups – not directly affiliated with any of the parties – and three representatives from the professional media community will become the media oversight body.