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Reporters at the country's leading publication have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The acquisition, which occurs while Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to strengthen government influence on the news outlets.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a portfolio of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were leaving in "mutual agreement" with the current proprietor.

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on compelling journalism" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing politics, economic matters, and culture," he stated on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I almost had a heart attack when I was informed of the announcement," remarked one journalist, who wished to be unidentified. "Personally, this is ethically questionable."

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

Press Environment Issues

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain say they are in a difficult position as there are not many other media organizations remaining where they could seek employment.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting press environment to boost his image and polls.

Election Timing

Whereas important publication acquisitions have usually happened either following voting or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was considered a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a period when opinion research are suggesting that they have a genuine competitor for the premier instance in over a decade.

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting promises to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he asserts it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's news publications.

Publication's Significance

Although Blikk is a tabloid, known for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the past few years it has also published many pieces on suspected graft.

"The publication represents by far the most read newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," commented a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If biased information features in such widely read and influential publications, it will have an impact on the public."

Global Context

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

Former American officials and their allies have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the path to power required "owning press organizations."

Past Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's regime passed a legislation that established official oversight over the primary press oversight body and placed the national media outlet in the control of loyalists.

Proprietorship Details

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

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a profitable publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a communication that its choice to divest was "based solely on business strategy factors and our concentration on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was contacted for statement.