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Media professionals at the country's most popular publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to expand state control on the media.

A pro-Orbán media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose digital edition draws around three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "common understanding" with the acquiring company.

They had been hired seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, reporting on political affairs, economics, and culture," he commented on social media.

Staff Responses

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I almost had a medical emergency when I learned about the announcement," stated one reporter, who requested to remain unidentified. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Several media professionals who have chosen to remain admit being in a difficult position as there are not many other outlets remaining where they could apply.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned press environment to boost his image and public opinion ratings.

Election Context

Whereas significant press acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months prior to April's general election.

Blikk was considered a main goal for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are suggesting that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in more than a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is campaigning on promises to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he claims it has done to Hungary's democratic system.

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

Publication's Importance

Although Blikk is a popular newspaper, renowned for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also published numerous articles on possible misconduct.

"Blikk is by far the most widely circulated newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," stated a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If partisan content features in such widely read and influential publications, it will have an impact on the citizenry."

International Perspective

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" internationally.

Former American officials and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán told a meeting of US conservatives that the way to governance required "controlling media outlets."

Past Press Regulation

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

Ownership Information

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also CEO of a pro-government private channel.

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the company is gaining a well-performing press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier announced in a release that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A official representative was approached for comment.