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Media professionals at Hungary's most popular publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to increase government influence on the media.

A pro-Orbán media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read daily newspaper whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's outgoing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and a top executive were departing in "mutual agreement" with the acquiring company.

They had been hired 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 Facebook.

Employee Reactions

Workers from Blikk said they were taken aback. "I almost had a medical emergency when I learned about the declaration," stated one reporter, who wished to be unnamed. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has named a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Issues

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain say they are in a challenging situation as there are few other media organizations available where they could seek employment.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling government-supporting media landscape to boost his image and polls.

Political Context

While major media acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a quiet political period, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a time when surveys are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is promoting commitments to root out systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, declaring it signifies another effort by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Importance

Though Blikk is a daily publication, known for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured many pieces on alleged corruption.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," stated a communications specialist. "Its online site has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited website in Hungary. If partisan content appears in such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an influence on the citizenry."

Global Perspective

For over a decade, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.

Previous US leaders and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US traditionalist groups that the way to governance demanded "having their own media."

Past Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a legislation that established state authority over the primary press oversight body and put the state broadcaster in the hands of allies.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.

In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the group is acquiring a successful media company of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier announced in a release that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our concentration on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for response.