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Journalists at the country's most-read newspaper have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is largely considered another move to increase state control on the press.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose digital edition attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Management Shake-up

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

They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he said on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Staff at Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I learned about the news," stated one journalist, who asked to stay unnamed. "Personally, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain say they are in a complex circumstance as there are few other media organizations left to which they could look for work.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and polls.

Political Context

Although important publication transactions have usually happened either post-election or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's national vote.

Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a moment when surveys are suggesting that they have a real challenger for the first time in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is running on commitments to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he asserts it has affected Hungary's political freedom.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it signifies another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations.

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also featured multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"The publication represents by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If propaganda features in such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the citizenry."

International Perspective

For over a decade now, Hungary has served as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" internationally.

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

In 2022, Orbán addressed a conference of US right-leaning politicians that the way to governance demanded "owning press organizations."

Historical Media Control

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

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned investor who is also top executive of a government-friendly television station.

In a announcement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and recognized names that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier stated in a statement that its decision to sell was "based solely on strategic economic considerations and our concentration on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A state communicator was sought for statement.