‘Sport is a cohesive force that above all binds Hungarian society together,’ CEO of the Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund (MTVA) Dániel Papp said on Monday at the congress of the Hungarian Sports Journalists’ Association (MSÚSZ) in Gyula.
Papp expressed that during the most challenging times, it was sport that Hungarian society could cling to, providing a sense of freedom. He emphasized the importance for public media to engage with all things Hungarian, highlighting that in 2015, public media filled the gap by also covering sports. He asserted that sport is a cornerstone of Hungarian society, which is why the M4 Sport channel was launched. Papp noted that since then, the MTVA sports portfolio has expanded. The M4 Sport + was introduced to broadcast sports content for the entire Hungarian community. Additionally, the National Sport News was launched, new programs emerged on radio, and numerous podcasts were initiated by public media, the CEO detailed. He stressed the goal of continuous improvement and representing the highest standards. ‘We have a huge responsibility to work for the future, which is why youth training programmes have been initiated,’ Papp added. Currently,
public media broadcasts 43 sports, and in 2023, the M4 Sport channel was awarded the Prima Primissima Prize.
Papp discussed the two most significant sports events of the year, the UEFA European Championship and the Olympics, stating that public media strives to broadcast them at the highest level. For the European Championship, public media prepares with its own team, studio, special broadcasts, and other unique features. Regarding the Olympics, Hungarian interests will be represented in twelve different locations, with MTVA staff present at each, the CEO highlighted. Papp reminded that recently a law amendment had been passed, integrating National Sport into the MTVA family. This integration signifies a forward-thinking national sports federation, benefiting not only sports journalists and enthusiasts but also athletes.
Mayor of Gyula Ernő Görgényi expressed in his welcome speech that it is a great honour for the city to host such a prestigious professional organization as the Hungarian Sports Journalists’ Association. He quoted psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, saying that the love for sport stemming from within is twice as important as improving our abilities. He added that Gyula is a sports-loving city, and one of the municipality’s missions is to provide young people with opportunities for sports. Subsequent to the welcome speeches, President of the Hungarian Sports Journalists’ Association György Szöllősi opened the two-day congress, followed by the presentation of professional awards and acknowledgments.
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