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Media professionals at Hungary's leading newspaper have expressed shock after a media group considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is largely considered another move to strengthen state control on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read daily newspaper whose online platform reaches about three million online readers monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.

They were appointed seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, covering political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he said on social media.

Staff Reactions

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling stunned. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I heard the news," stated one reporter, who wished to be unnamed. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has introduced a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Many journalists who have chosen to remain admit being in a challenging situation as there are not many other media organizations left to which they could seek employment.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling government-supporting media landscape to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.

Political Context

Although major media transactions have usually happened either following voting or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a moment when polls are signalling that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in over a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is running on commitments to root out entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he claims it has caused to Hungary's democracy.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it signifies another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Importance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the recent years it has also published many pieces on alleged corruption.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a press expert. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, becoming the fourth most read website in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such widely read and influential publications, it will have an impact on the public."

Global Context

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" around the world.

Previous US leaders and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US conservatives that the path to power demanded "owning press organizations."

Historical Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a law that asserted official oversight over the chief communications authority and positioned the state broadcaster in the hands of loyalists.

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 statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a profitable press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a release that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was approached for response.