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Media professionals at Hungary's most popular publication have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to strengthen state control on the news outlets.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose digital edition reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and a top executive were departing in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.

They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, reporting on political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he said on social media.

Staff Responses

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the announcement," said one correspondent, who asked to stay unidentified. "Personally, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Issues

Several media professionals who have decided to stay acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are limited other outlets remaining where they could seek employment.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling pro-government press environment to enhance his reputation and polls.

Political Context

Whereas major media acquisitions have typically occurred either after elections or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs fewer than six months ahead of April's national vote.

Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a time when opinion research are indicating that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is running on promises to root out systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the negative impact he says it has caused to Hungary's democracy.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, declaring it constitutes another effort by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Importance

Though Blikk is a daily publication, known for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured many pieces on suspected graft.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a press expert. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an impact on the general population."

Global Perspective

For more than a ten-year period, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" globally.

Former American officials and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership required "having their own media."

Past Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a regulation that asserted state authority over the chief communications authority and positioned the state broadcaster in the hands of supporters.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting investor who is also chief executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a profitable publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and recognized names that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier stated in a communication that its determination to transfer was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A state communicator was contacted for comment.