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Media professionals at Hungary's leading publication have expressed shock after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is largely considered another effort to strengthen government influence on the media.

A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were departing in "shared decision" with the current proprietor.

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, addressing political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he commented on social media.

Staff Reactions

Staff at Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I almost had a medical emergency when I heard the news," said one reporter, who wished to be unnamed. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has named a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Issues

Several media professionals who have opted to continue admit being in a difficult position as there are limited other publications remaining where they could look for work.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government press environment to strengthen his public perception and polls.

Election Context

While significant press acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a stable political time, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a time when surveys are indicating that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Response

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is running on commitments to eradicate entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he claims it has affected Hungary's democracy.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it represents another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's news publications.

Newspaper's Importance

Though Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its entertainment section and sensational captions, in the past few years it has also run multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a market leader," commented a press expert. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If biased information features in such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an effect on the general population."

Global Context

For more than a decade, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.

Previous US leaders and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership demanded "controlling media outlets."

Past Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a law that established government control over the main media regulator and placed the state broadcaster in the management of allies.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network.

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is acquiring a profitable publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a statement that its determination to transfer was "motivated entirely by commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for response.