A Hungarian television group owned by an associate of Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister, is attempting to enter the Polish market, prompting fears of political interference in Polish affairs.
The TV2 Group has been shortlisted by Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) to compete for a spot on the MUX-8 digital terrestrial television platform in Poland with their new lifestyle channel, PTV.
The group is owned by József Vida, who has close ties with Lőrinc Mészáros, often referred to as “Orbán's wallet. Its TV2 channel is one of Hungary’s most-watched TV stations and has garnered a reputation among its critics for pushing a pro-Orbán narrative.
While PTV has not announced plans for political content, its possible arrival in Poland has raised concerns about the Hungarian government extending its media clout to other countries.
Critics of Orbán accuse him of capturing the country’s media in order to push the agenda of his Fidesz government since it took office in 2010.
Earlier this year Human Rights Watch wrote: “Since 2010, the ruling Fidesz-KDNP government has used its power to deliberately dismantle media freedom and pluralism through control over the media regulatory body, which has allowed pro-government outlets to dominate, by exerting direct political control over the public service broadcaster, and financially rewarding pro-government outlets.”
The arrival of PTV could cause problems for Poland, experts warn.
“Fidesz often dabbles in disinformation to help allies win elections,” said Edit Zgut-Przybylska, an expert in Hungarian affairs and an assistant professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.
The group is owned by József Vida, who has close ties with Lőrinc Mészáros, often referred to as “Orbán's wallet. Its TV2 channel is one of Hungary’s most-watched TV stations and has garnered a reputation among its critics for pushing a pro-Orbán narrative.
While PTV has not announced plans for political content, its possible arrival in Poland has raised concerns about the Hungarian government extending its media clout to other countries.
Critics of Orbán accuse him of capturing the country’s media in order to push the agenda of his Fidesz government since it took office in 2010.
Earlier this year Human Rights Watch wrote: “Since 2010, the ruling Fidesz-KDNP government has used its power to deliberately dismantle media freedom and pluralism through control over the media regulatory body, which has allowed pro-government outlets to dominate, by exerting direct political control over the public service broadcaster, and financially rewarding pro-government outlets.”
The arrival of PTV could cause problems for Poland, experts warn.
“Fidesz often dabbles in disinformation to help allies win elections,” said Edit Zgut-Przybylska, an expert in Hungarian affairs and an assistant professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.
Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi claimed that TV2 is also a tool of Kremlin propaganda, often portraying Ukraine and sometimes Poland as war instigators.
“If I was in the place of Polish authorities, I would certainly ask myself whether such an investment in the Polish market has national security implications,” he told the Polish tabloid Fakt.
TV2 Media Group
TV2 Group has produced popular TV programs since its launch in 1997. In 2016, it expanded to TV2 Media Group with multiple themed channels. In 2020, TV2 acquired three Slovenian channels, extending its reach to Hungarian-speaking audiences in Slovakia, Romania, and Serbia. The group now operates 17 stations.
According to a TV2 Media Group press release, the new Polish channel (PTV) will focus on “entertainment and lifestyle” content, primarily targeting women.
“The channel will broadcast 24/7, featuring entertainment programs, talk shows, and magazines, primarily produced in Poland,” TV2 said.
“If I was in the place of Polish authorities, I would certainly ask myself whether such an investment in the Polish market has national security implications,” he told the Polish tabloid Fakt.
TV2 Media Group
TV2 Group has produced popular TV programs since its launch in 1997. In 2016, it expanded to TV2 Media Group with multiple themed channels. In 2020, TV2 acquired three Slovenian channels, extending its reach to Hungarian-speaking audiences in Slovakia, Romania, and Serbia. The group now operates 17 stations.
According to a TV2 Media Group press release, the new Polish channel (PTV) will focus on “entertainment and lifestyle” content, primarily targeting women.
“The channel will broadcast 24/7, featuring entertainment programs, talk shows, and magazines, primarily produced in Poland,” TV2 said.
Source: Fakt, wirtualnemedia.pl
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