🔗 Share this article

Journalists at Hungary's most-read newspaper have shown disbelief after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which comes as Hungary prepares for pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another move to increase government influence on the news outlets.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose online platform attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Management Shake-up

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

They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, covering political affairs, economics, and culture," he stated on social media.

Staff Reactions

Workers from Blikk said they were shocked. "I nearly experienced a cardiac episode when I learned about the announcement," stated one correspondent, who wished to be anonymous. "For me, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Several media professionals who have decided to stay acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are not many other outlets available where they could seek employment.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned media landscape to enhance his reputation and public opinion ratings.

Political Context

While significant press acquisitions have typically occurred either following voting or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary happens less than six months ahead of April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was considered a prime target for Orbán and his party at a moment when polls are signalling that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Response

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is campaigning on commitments to eliminate systemic graft, has been outspoken about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the damage he says it has done to Hungary's political freedom.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it signifies another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's news publications.

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also run multiple stories on suspected graft.

"The publication represents by far the most read newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," stated a media analyst. "The web version has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most visited online site in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an influence on the general population."

Global Context

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

Previous US leaders and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the route to leadership required "controlling media outlets."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a law that established government control over the chief communications authority and placed the public broadcaster in the control of loyalists.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also CEO of a pro-government private channel.

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a well-performing press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and recognized names that have significant influence in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier announced in a communication that its determination to transfer was "driven exclusively by strategic economic considerations and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for comment.