🔗 Share this article Surprise as Government Supporters Acquire Hungary's Top Newspaper Media professionals at Hungary's most-read publication have voiced surprise after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners. Timing of Acquisition The purchase, which coincides with Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to strengthen state control on the press. A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose digital edition draws around three million digital visitors monthly. Leadership Shake-up Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "common understanding" with the new owner. Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, covering politics, economics, and cultural topics," he commented on social media. Employee Responses Staff at Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I came close to a medical emergency when I heard the announcement," remarked one correspondent, who asked to stay unnamed. "Personally, this is professionally concerning." Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry. Press Environment Issues Many journalists who have chosen to remain acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are limited other outlets left to which they could seek employment. Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and polls. Election Timing Although major media acquisitions have typically occurred either post-election or during a stable political time, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes fewer than six months ahead of April's parliamentary election. Blikk was viewed as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a moment when polls are signalling that they have a genuine competitor for the first time in over a decade. Opposition Response The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting commitments to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's democracy. He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, declaring it represents another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations. Newspaper's Significance While Blikk is a tabloid, known for its entertainment section and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also published multiple stories on alleged corruption. "This newspaper stands as by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," stated a communications specialist. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If biased information features in such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the citizenry." International Perspective For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has served as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" globally. Former American officials and their supporters have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes. In 2022, Orbán spoke to a conference of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power necessitated "having their own media." Past Media Regulation In 2010, Orbán's government passed a regulation that imposed official oversight over the chief communications authority and placed the national media outlet in the control of supporters. Proprietorship Details Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also CEO of a government-friendly television station. In a declaration, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a successful publication group of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian communications sector." Ringier said in a release that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary." A government spokesperson was contacted for response.