According to reports by Piroska Olajos, the veteran presenter was dismissed after failing to meet the network’s strict internal requirements, which mandate that news anchors be present at the studio at least one hour before airtime.
The Conflict Between Professional Standards and Personal Accountability
The termination of Tamás Gajdos followed a pattern of documented attendance incidents. In November 2023, Gajdos did not appear for the evening news, necessitating an emergency replacement by Gabriella György. The channel initiated immediate disciplinary proceedings, citing a violation of the internal code of ethics. This was not an isolated event; a similar incident in June 2023 saw Rónai Egon step in as a substitute, leading to a financial penalty for Gajdos at the time.
The network’s decision to end the contract mirrors a previous professional separation in 2013, after which Gajdos returned to the station in 2016.
Did you know?
Gajdos Tamás previously left ATV in 2013 due to similar attendance-related incidents, only to be rehired by the channel three years later in 2016.
Gajdos’s Perspective on Studio Attendance
In a recent appearance on the Kék Zóna podcast, summarized by story.hu, Gajdos disputed the characterization of his absences as “lateness.” He asserted that he never missed an airtime, though he acknowledged that his arrival times often deviated from the station’s strict one-hour rule.
“If they said I had to be there an hour before the broadcast, I was surely only there 50 or 40 minutes before,” Gajdos stated. He further noted that he believes the professional quality of the live broadcasts was never compromised by his arrival times. However, he admitted to a shift in his own professional outlook, stating, “Colleagues must also be given respect, and undoubtedly, that was not always the case on my part.”
Future Trends in Broadcast Discipline
While Gajdos’s name has been linked to potential roles at other networks, such as industry speculation regarding new news programs at TV2, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of professional alignment between talent and management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was Tamás Gajdos dismissed from ATV?
The channel terminated his contract following repeated violations of the internal code of ethics, specifically failing to be in the studio one hour before the news broadcast. - Did Gajdos admit to the lateness?
In a Kék Zóna podcast interview, Gajdos denied being “late” for the actual broadcast but conceded he did not always meet the required one-hour pre-show arrival time. - Has this happened before?
Yes. Gajdos was previously involved in a similar incident in 2013 leading to a contract termination, and he was penalized in June 2023 for a similar issue.
What are your thoughts on the balance between professional flexibility and strict studio protocols in journalism? Share your views in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more media industry updates.
Keep reading
