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Tibor Mészáros

Tibor Mészáros is a Hungarian-Australian media executive, film producer,[1] and advocate for community television. He served as a key figure at West Television (WTV), a community television station in Western Australia.[2] Mészáros has been involved in the Australian broadcasting industry for over four decades, with a focus on independent media production and community-focused programming.[3][4] His work has included projects highlighting multicultural communities in Australia,[5] as well as contributions to training and mentoring in community media.[6]

Early Life and Education

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Tibor Mészáros was born in 1952 and raised in Hungary, where he graduated as an oil and gas technician. He served in the Hungarian Army from 1973 to 1975, and began working in film and television in 1975. In 1976–77, he completed a Television Production Manager's Training Course.

In 1981, Mészáros migrated to Australia with his wife, Ilona Frank,[7] and their two children, settling in Western Australia.[8]

In a 1982 interview with "The West Australian", Mészáros explained his decision to leave Hungary, citing political instability and a desire for greater personal freedom: "because it is a lot of kilometres from Europe" and "Hungary has a lot of political problems and Australia promised a free life."[9]

He also discussed the challenges of settling in a new country, noting that his limited English made it difficult to find employment: "I'm looking for a job, my bad English makes it hard, but I'm learning fast."[10]

Mészáros pursued further education in Australia, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television from Murdoch University in 1986. In 2023, he completed a Master of Media by Research at the same institution. His thesis focused on the role of community television in Perth and the impact of the 2014 federal policy changes affecting community broadcasting..[11]

Media and Production Career

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Between 1975 and 1981, Mészáros held various production roles with Hungarian Television, working as a cameraman, producer, and production manager. After relocating to Australia, he became active in ethnic and multicultural media in Western Australia. From 1982 to 1986, he worked as a producer with the Hungarian Ethnic Radio program on 6NR Perth, and between 1985 and 1989, he served as editor of "Hírmondó", a bilingual Hungarian–English cultural magazine. He later became head of production at Soundstage Australia from 1987 to 1990.[12]

From 1993 to 1999, Mészáros served as director of Soundstage International and ICA Production Pty Ltd.[13] He later held leadership roles in community television, acting as secretary of CTV Perth from 1999 to 2008 and as general manager of West TV (WTV) from 2008 to 2021.[14] In 2024, he was appointed director of the International Multicultural Film Festival (IMFF).[15]

In 1989, following the fall of communism in Hungary, Mészáros returned to Europe and established the International Cartoon Agency (ICA), an animation production company with studios in Budapest, Kecskemét, and Pécs. At its peak, ICA employed approximately 150 staff and produced animated series and specials in collaboration with European partners.[16]

Productions associated with Mészáros during this period include:

- "Incredible Creatures" (1990), a 13-part animated television series;[17]

- "Linda Safari", an animated feature film;[18].

- "The White Camel" (1991), a French-Hungarian animated special;[19].

- "The Ketchup Vampires" (1991–1994), a 26-episode animated series;[20].

- "The Peel", which was selected for the Annecy International Animation Festival.

- "Carland Cross" (1996), a 26-episode animated adaptation of the Belgian comic series.

- "Ginger Meggs", co-produced with the Seven Network, ScreenWest, and international partners.

- "Bill Body’s Crazy World of Sports", a 26-episode animated television series.

In 1995, Mészáros returned to Australia and founded ICA Production Pty Ltd in Perth, continuing to develop animated and live-action media projects.

Leadership at West TV

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In 2000, Mészáros became involved with Community Television Perth and, from 2008, served as General Manager of West TV (WTV). During his tenure, WTV operated as a training platform for emerging journalists, producers, and presenters.[21][22] Mészáros promoted locally produced content and supported greater representation of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.[23] Under his leadership, WTV provided early broadcast experience to media professionals who later worked with outlets such as the ABC, Network Ten, Seven West Media, and Noongar Radio.[24][25]

In 2023, Mészáros completed a Master of Media by Research at Murdoch University. His thesis, titled *Community Television in Perth, Western Australia: Analysis of the Impact of the 2014 Community Television Policy Change on West TV*, examined the consequences of a federal policy decision that affected community broadcasting.[26]

This research was initiated in response to the announcement by then Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull, who in September 2014 stated that community television (CTV) stations would lose access to free-to-air spectrum from 31 December 2015.[27] Although several short-term licence extensions were later issued, the policy shift ultimately contributed to WTV ceasing its free-to-air operations in February 2020 due to financial constraints.[28][29]

Mészáros’s research contributed to the broader academic discourse on Australian community television, building upon earlier studies by Ellie Rennie,[30] Daniel Johnston,[31][32] and Brandi Caraway.[33]

Through qualitative interviews with nineteen WTV producers, staff, and stakeholders, the thesis identified key impacts of the 2014 policy decision, including:

  • Lack of stakeholder consultation prior to implementation;
  • Loss of employment and economic disruption;
  • Reduced access to media training opportunities;
  • Decline in sponsorship and community engagement;
  • Negative impact on public perceptions of the community broadcasting sector.[34]

The study concluded that the closure of WTV limited access to locally produced content and diminished the media diversity available to Perth audiences. It recommended greater government support for community broadcasters to ensure continued access to free-to-air platforms and to strengthen democratic participation through local storytelling.[35]

Advocacy and Community Impact

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Mészáros has contributed to community media initiatives in Australia, with a focus on multicultural programming and local content development. He has been involved in supporting film festivals such as the Muslim Film Festival[36] and the International Multicultural Film Festival.[37]

His academic research and professional involvement have examined the role of community broadcasting in promoting access to media, cultural representation, and local media production.

Awards and Recognition

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• Senior Community Citizen of the Year (Western Australia, 2020) — Awarded for involvement in community broadcasting and initiatives related to senior citizens.[38][39] • Antenna Awards — Nominated and recognised for contributions to community television production.[40]

Mészáros has also been involved in programs aimed at senior citizens, including initiatives related to health, social inclusion, and independent living.

Legacy

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Tibor Mészáros is a media producer and broadcaster whose work spans animation and community television in Australia and Hungary.

In May 1993, he was interviewed by the Hungarian edition of *Playboy* magazine.[41]

Mészáros was a candidate for the Australian Senate in the 2013 federal election, representing the WikiLeaks Party.[42][43][44]

In 2021, he donated the full archive of West TV (WTV), including physical and digital content, to the State Library of Western Australia. The collection documents approximately two decades of community broadcasting in Western Australia.[45]

Mészáros has been involved with organisations including the International Creative Alliance (ICA) and West TV, working in roles related to animation production and community media. His professional focus has included local content development, media training, and multicultural programming.

  1. ^ "Tibor Meszaros". IMDb. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  2. ^ Express Magazine, 15 January 2004, p. 24
  3. ^ "Tibor Meszaros". City of Perth. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  4. ^ The West Australian Habitat, 6 September 2002.
  5. ^ "The Beach Taken by the Land (Australand)". Screen Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  6. ^ Voice News, 24–27 December 2002, p. 7
  7. ^ "Ilona Meszaros". IMDb. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  8. ^ "No good speak English, no job". The West Australian. 11 October 1982. p. 8.
  9. ^ "No good speak English, no job". The West Australian. 11 October 1982. p. 8.
  10. ^ "No good speak English, no job". The West Australian. 11 October 1982. p. 8.
  11. ^ Mészáros, Tibor (2023). Community Television in Perth, Western Australia: Analysis of the Impact of the 2014 Community Television Policy Change on West TV (Master's thesis). Murdoch University. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Soundstage Australia". IMDb. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Incredible Creatures (1990)". Screen Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  14. ^ "The Key to Your House". Parliament of Western Australia. 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Organisers". International Multicultural Film Festival. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  16. ^ "The Ketchup Vampires". IMDb. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Incredible Creatures (1990)". Screen Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Linda Safari – Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  19. ^ "Le chameau blanc (TV Movie 1991)". IMDb. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  20. ^ "The Ketchup Vampires". IMDb. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  21. ^ Johnston, Daniel (2005). "The Future of Community Television in Australia". Media International Australia (117): 101–113.
  22. ^ Johnston, Daniel (2013). Australian Community Television: Surviving the Mainstream (PhD thesis). RMIT University.
  23. ^ Massey, Alex (9 December 2010). "Winning in the tough world of TV". The West Australian. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  24. ^ Caraway, Brandi (2008). "Public Access and Localism in the Digital Age". Journal of Media and Cultural Studies. 22 (1): 85–96.
  25. ^ Johnston, Michelle (2013). Noongar Dandjoo: A Cross‑Cultural Collaborative Approach to Aboriginal Community Television Production (Thesis). Murdoch University. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  26. ^ Mészáros, Tibor (2023). Community Television in Perth, Western Australia: Analysis of the Impact of the 2014 Community Television Policy Change on West TV (Master's thesis). Murdoch University. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  27. ^ Turnbull, Malcolm (11 September 2014). "The Future of Community TV". Minister for Communications. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  28. ^ "WTV". Wikipedia. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  29. ^ Knox, David (20 February 2020). "WTV off air in Perth 'until further notice'". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  30. ^ Rennie, Ellie (2006). Community Media: A Global Introduction. Rowman & Littlefield.
  31. ^ Johnston, Daniel (2005). "The Future of Community Television in Australia". Media International Australia (117): 101–113.
  32. ^ Johnston, Daniel (2013). Australian Community Television: Surviving the Mainstream (PhD thesis). RMIT University.
  33. ^ Caraway, Brandi (2008). "Public Access and Localism in the Digital Age". Journal of Media and Cultural Studies. 22 (1): 85–96.
  34. ^ Mészáros, Tibor. Community Television in Perth, Western Australia... (Thesis).
  35. ^ Mészáros, Tibor. Community Television in Perth, Western Australia... (Thesis).
  36. ^ Mészáros, Tibor. "Muslim Film Festival – About". Muslim Film Festival. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  37. ^ Mészáros, Tibor (8 May 2024). "International Multicultural Film Festival – Organisers". IMFF. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  38. ^ 2020 Community Citizen of the Year Award Recipients. https://www.citizenshipawards.com.au/2020-community-citizen-of-the-year-award-recipients/ | Citizenship Awards |access-date=20 August 2025.
  39. ^ Community spirit on show as local heroes and new citizens celebrated. https://perth.wa.gov.au/news-and-updates/all-news/community-spirit-on-show-as-local-heroes-and-new-citizens-celebrated | City of Perth |access-date=20 August 2025.
  40. ^ "2019 Antenna Awards". Wikipedia. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  41. ^ Interview with Tibor Mészáros, Playboy (Hungarian edition), May 1993. [in Hungarian]
  42. ^ The West Australian, 18 March 2014, p. 4.
  43. ^ “Julian Assange to contest any fresh WA Senate vote, WikiLeaks Party says, calling out AEC ‘discrimination’,” ABC News, 4 November 2013. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/wikileaks-julian-assange-wa-senate-recount-aec/5068548 (accessed 24 August 2025).
  44. ^ Stephen Pollock, “No conflict: Meszaros,” *Perth Voice Interactive*, 3 April 2014. https://perthvoiceinteractive.com/2014/04/03/no-conflict-meszaros/ (accessed 24 August 2025).
  45. ^ Annual Report 2019–2020 (PDF) (Report). Library Board of Western Australia. p. 25. Retrieved 20 August 2025.