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Media professionals at Hungary's leading publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The purchase, which coincides with Hungary approaches important elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to expand state control on the news outlets.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, reporting on political affairs, economics, and culture," he said on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I came close to a heart attack when I was informed of the announcement," said one reporter, who requested to remain unidentified. "In my view, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Issues

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

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned media landscape to boost his image and poll numbers.

Election Context

Whereas major media deals have usually happened either post-election or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months ahead of April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting commitments to eliminate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's democracy.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it represents another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

Although Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its entertainment section and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also featured multiple stories on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a press expert. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If propaganda features in such highly popular and popular media, it will have an influence on the citizenry."

Global Perspective

For more than a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

Former American officials and their associates have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the way to governance required "having their own media."

Historical Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a law that asserted state authority over the main media regulator and put the state broadcaster in the management of loyalists.

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.

In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a successful publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier stated in a communication that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our focus on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for comment.