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Reporters at the country's leading newspaper have expressed shock after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The purchase, which comes as Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is largely considered another effort to expand government influence on the media.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose news site attracts approximately three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "common understanding" with the new owner.

They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, addressing politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he said on social media.

Employee Reactions

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I heard the news," remarked one correspondent, who requested to remain unidentified. "In my view, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Many journalists who have opted to continue admit being in a difficult position as there are few other publications available where they could look for work.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and poll numbers.

Political Timing

Whereas important publication acquisitions have usually happened either post-election or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was viewed as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when polls are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is promoting pledges to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been direct about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the damage he asserts it has done to Hungary's democratic system.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary deal, declaring it constitutes another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Importance

Though Blikk is a popular newspaper, renowned for its gossip column and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"Blikk is by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a press expert. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If partisan content features in such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an effect on the general population."

Global Context

For exceeding a ten-year period, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

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 gathering of US right-leaning politicians that the route to leadership demanded "owning press organizations."

Historical Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a legislation that imposed state authority over the main media regulator and positioned the national media outlet in the management of loyalists.

Ownership Details

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

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a successful press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier announced in a communication that its determination to transfer was "based solely on business strategy factors and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for response.