🔗 Share this article Shock as Orbán Allies Acquire the Nation's Most-Read Newspaper Media professionals at the country's leading newspaper have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners. Timing of Purchase The purchase, which coincides with Hungary prepares for pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another effort to expand government influence on the press. A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose digital edition reaches about three million digital visitors monthly. Management Shake-up Blikk's outgoing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner. Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, reporting on politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on social media. Staff Responses Workers from Blikk said they were taken aback. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I learned about the news," said one reporter, who asked to stay unnamed. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable." Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry. Media Landscape Issues Several media professionals who have opted to continue say they are in a complex circumstance as there are not many other publications available where they could seek employment. Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting press environment to strengthen his public perception and polls. Election Context Whereas significant press acquisitions have typically occurred either post-election or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months before April's parliamentary election. Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are suggesting that they have a genuine competitor for the first time in over a decade. Political Rival Reaction The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is campaigning on pledges to eradicate entrenched dishonesty, has been outspoken about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he says it has done to Hungary's democratic system. He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it signifies another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets. Publication's Importance While Blikk is a tabloid, known for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the recent years it has also run multiple stories on suspected graft. "Blikk is by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," stated a press expert. "The web version has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular digital platform in Hungary. If biased information appears in such widely read and influential publications, it will have an effect on the general population." Global Perspective For more than a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a example for other "illiberal democracies" internationally. Former American officials and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes. In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US conservatives that the route to leadership demanded "owning press organizations." Past Media Control In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a law that asserted official oversight over the chief communications authority and put the public broadcaster in the control of allies. Ownership Details Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also top executive of a pro-government private channel. In a declaration, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian communications sector." Ringier stated in a statement that its decision to sell was "based solely on business strategy factors and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary." A state communicator was contacted for comment.