"Budapest Minister Emphasizes Importance of Hungarian Media for National Policy"

Published: December 11 2023

During the third Carpathian Basin Hungarian Media Meeting, the Minister of State for National Policy emphasized the importance of Hungarian media for national policy. The construction of a media network that supports national policy has been continuously strengthened over the past 30 years. This blog post will discuss the significance of Hungarian media and its role in shaping national policy.

The Minister of State stated that national policy is unimaginable without Hungarian media. The media plays a crucial role in shaping and promoting the government's policies and initiatives. Over the years, a strong network has been developed in the media sector to support the goals and objectives of national policy.

As a first step towards modernizing national policy, a new legislative framework was created, including the adoption of the Dual Citizenship Act in 2010. This legislation enables the government's diaspora policy to be observed and adopted in many countries worldwide. The government aims to reach Hungarians around the world through a combination of traditional and online tools.

Tamás Toót-Holló, President of the Hungarian National Media Association, highlighted the changing trends in media consumption. The print media is experiencing a decline, with a shift towards online platforms. Younger generations are more inclined to watch short film productions rather than read traditional newspapers. Social media platforms like TikTok are gaining popularity, while Facebook is considered obsolete in terms of reach and engagement.

Katalin Szili, the Prime Minister's chief advisor, emphasized the competition that journalism faces with various media platforms. She stressed the importance of quality journalism and serving those who expect reliable and credible news. It is crucial not to view journalism as a competitor but rather as a genre that complements and adds value to the media landscape.

Szili also highlighted the distinction between national journalism and neoliberal journalism. National journalism focuses on serving the interests of the nation and promoting national policies. It prioritizes quality reporting and upholds the values and principles of the country. This approach stands in contrast to the profit-driven nature of neoliberal journalism.

By recognizing the significance of Hungarian media in shaping national policy and adapting to the changing media landscape, the government aims to effectively communicate its policies and initiatives to both the domestic population and Hungarians living abroad.

What was discussed at the third Carpathian Basin Hungarian Media Meeting in Visegrád? The Minister of State for National Policy at the Prime Minister’s Office emphasized the importance of Hungarian media for national policy. They mentioned that national policy is now an alliance of networks, and the media network has been continuously strengthened over the past 30 years.

What legislative framework was created in Hungary to establish a modern national policy? As a first step, a new legislative framework was created, with the adoption of the Dual Citizenship Act in 2010. This legislative framework supports the Hungarian government's diaspora policy, which is being observed and adopted in many countries around the world.

How does the Hungarian government want to reach Hungarians around the world? The Hungarian government wants to reach Hungarians around the world through a combination of traditional and online tools. They aim to use both online and offline media to connect and communicate with Hungarians wherever they live.

What are the challenges facing traditional print media, according to Tamás Toót-Holló? According to Tamás Toót-Holló, the President of the Hungarian National Media Association, traditional print media is facing challenges. He believes that print media is "dying" and is now just a "tradition with us as a legacy." He also mentioned that brand loyalty in online media is gone and direct reach has disappeared.

Which social media platform has gained popularity and surpassed Facebook in terms of video views? TikTok has gained popularity and is now considered more relevant than Facebook. Tamás Toót-Holló mentioned that there are 13.2 billion videos viewed on TikTok every month.

What did Katalin Szili highlight about journalism and media platforms? Katalin Szili, the Prime Minister's chief advisor, emphasized that journalism is in competition with various media platforms. However, she stressed that journalism and the genre represented by those present at the meeting should not be seen as competitors. It is important to serve those who expect quality journalism.

What is the difference between neoliberal and national journalism, according to Katalin Szili? Katalin Szili pointed out the difference between neoliberal and national journalism. She emphasized that national journalism, which serves the interests of the country, is vital for Hungary.