Surprise as Orbán Allies Purchase Hungary's Leading Newspaper

Media professionals at Hungary's most popular publication have shown disbelief after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary prepares for crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to strengthen state control on the press.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose digital edition draws around three million web users monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were leaving in "shared decision" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing political affairs, economic matters, and culture," he stated on Facebook.

Staff Responses

Employees of Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I nearly experienced a cardiac episode when I heard the news," remarked one journalist, who wished to be anonymous. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Numerous reporters who have decided to stay say they are in a challenging situation as there are limited other media organizations left to which they could apply.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling government-supporting media landscape to enhance his reputation and polls.

Election Context

Whereas major media transactions have typically occurred either post-election or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes fewer than six months prior to April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a period when opinion research are indicating that they have a real challenger for the first time in over a decade.

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting commitments to root out entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the negative impact he says it has done to Hungary's democratic system.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it constitutes another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Significance

While Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also run numerous articles on suspected graft.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," stated a press expert. "Their digital platform has become remarkably well-received in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read website in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the general population."

International Context

For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has served as a model for other "illiberal democracies" around the world.

Ex-US administrators and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán told a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the way to governance required "owning press organizations."

Historical Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's government approved a regulation that established government control over the primary press oversight body and put the state broadcaster in the management of supporters.

Ownership Information

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

In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the company is obtaining a well-performing publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier said in a communication that its decision to sell was "based solely on business strategy factors and our focus on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for comment.