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Journalists at the country's most popular newspaper have voiced surprise after a media group seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another attempt to strengthen state control on the media.

A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose news site draws around three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "common understanding" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing political affairs, economics, and culture," he commented on social media.

Staff Responses

Employees of Blikk said they were taken aback. "I nearly experienced a cardiac episode when I was informed of the announcement," said one correspondent, who requested to remain anonymous. "For me, this is ethically questionable."

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

Press Environment Concerns

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain admit being in a difficult position as there are not many other media organizations remaining where they could look for work.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned press environment to strengthen his public perception and public opinion ratings.

Political Context

Although important publication transactions have typically occurred either post-election or during a calm political phase, the buyout of Ringier Hungary occurs fewer than six months ahead of April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was viewed as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when polls are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is campaigning on commitments to root out systemic graft, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the damage he says it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary deal, stating it represents another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Significance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, known for its entertainment section and over-the-top headlines, in the recent years it has also run multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"Blikk is by far the most read newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become remarkably well-received in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular digital platform in Hungary. If biased information is published by such extensively consumed and influential publications, it will have an effect on the citizenry."

International Context

For exceeding a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.

Ex-US administrators and their associates have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a conference of US conservatives that the path to power necessitated "having their own media."

Historical Press Regulation

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

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government investor who is also CEO of a government-friendly television station.

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the company is gaining a profitable publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier stated in a release that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our concentration on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A official representative was sought for response.