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Media professionals at the country's most popular newspaper have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is largely considered another effort to strengthen state control on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had purchased a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose digital edition attracts approximately three million digital visitors monthly.

Management Shake-up

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "mutual agreement" with the acquiring company.

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on politics, economics, and cultural topics," he commented on social media.

Staff Responses

Staff at Blikk admitted feeling stunned. "I nearly experienced a medical emergency when I was informed of the news," stated one reporter, who requested to remain anonymous. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has announced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Several media professionals who have chosen to remain acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are few other media organizations remaining where they could apply.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive pro-government press environment to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.

Election Context

Although major media deals have typically occurred either after elections or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary occurs fewer than six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a moment when surveys are suggesting that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in over a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting commitments to eliminate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the negative impact he says it has affected Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

While Blikk is a tabloid, known for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also run many pieces on possible misconduct.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If partisan content appears in such widely read and influential publications, it will have an impact on the general population."

Global Perspective

For over a decade, Hungary has served as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.

Ex-US administrators and their associates have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power demanded "controlling media outlets."

Past Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a law that established official oversight over the primary press oversight body and positioned the public broadcaster in the control of supporters.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network.

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a successful press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a release that its determination to transfer was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A state communicator was contacted for response.