🔗 Share this article

Journalists at the country's leading newspaper have expressed shock after a media conglomerate considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary prepares for crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another move to strengthen state control on the news outlets.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had acquired a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.

Management Shake-up

Blikk's former chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "shared decision" with the acquiring company.

They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing political affairs, economics, and culture," he stated on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Employees of Blikk expressed being taken aback. "I came close to a cardiac episode when I learned about the news," remarked one correspondent, who requested to remain anonymous. "For me, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Issues

Several media professionals who have decided to stay say they are in a difficult position as there are limited other publications available where they could look for work.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling pro-government news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and public opinion ratings.

Political Timing

Although important publication deals have usually happened either post-election or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens less than six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was viewed as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a moment when surveys are signalling that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is running on commitments to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it signifies another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Importance

Although Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its celebrity news and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also run multiple stories on alleged corruption.

"The publication represents by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If biased information appears in such extensively consumed and influential publications, it will have an effect on the public."

International Context

For exceeding a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.

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

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the path to power necessitated "having their own media."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration passed a law that established official oversight over the main media regulator and put the state broadcaster in the management of allies.

Proprietorship Details

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

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is gaining a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."

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

A official representative was contacted for response.