🔗 Share this article Disbelief as Orbán Allies Purchase Hungary's Leading Daily Publication Media professionals at Hungary's most popular publication have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its former Swiss owners. Context of Acquisition The purchase, which occurs while Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to expand government influence on the press. A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian media assets, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose online platform reaches about three million web users monthly. Management Shake-up Blikk's departing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "shared decision" with the current proprietor. They had been hired seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, reporting on politics, economic matters, and culture," he said on social media. Employee Responses Employees of Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I came close to a medical emergency when I was informed of the news," said one journalist, who wished to be unidentified. "For me, this is ethically questionable." Blikk has named a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry. Media Landscape Concerns Numerous reporters who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a difficult position as there are few other media organizations left to which they could look for work. During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned press environment to enhance his reputation and polls. Election Context While important publication transactions have typically occurred either following voting or during a stable political time, the buyout of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months before April's parliamentary election. Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when polls are indicating that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in over a decade. Political Rival Response The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is promoting pledges to eradicate entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the damage he asserts it has done to Hungary's political freedom. He has condemned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it represents another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations. Publication's Significance Though Blikk is a daily publication, known for its entertainment section and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also featured numerous articles on suspected graft. "This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become remarkably well-received in recent times, becoming the fourth most visited digital platform in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such widely read and popular media, it will have an effect on the citizenry." International Context For more than a decade, Hungary has served as a model for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally. Previous US leaders and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings. In 2022, Orbán told a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the way to governance demanded "controlling media outlets." Historical Media Control In 2010, Orbán's regime enacted a law that established state authority over the primary press oversight body and put the national media outlet in the management of allies. Proprietorship Information Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned investor who is also chief executive of a government-friendly television station. In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a successful publication group of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape." Ringier announced in a communication that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our focus on our core digital activities in Hungary." A official representative was contacted for comment.