🔗 Share this article

Media professionals at Hungary's leading newspaper have expressed shock after a media group seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary gears up for important elections next year, is widely seen as another effort to expand government influence on the media.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose online platform attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's departing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "shared decision" with the current proprietor.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, covering political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.

Staff Responses

Workers from Blikk said they were stunned. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I learned about the announcement," stated one reporter, who wished to be anonymous. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Many journalists who have chosen to remain say they are in a challenging situation as there are few other publications remaining where they could apply.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread government-supporting media landscape to enhance his reputation and poll numbers.

Political Timing

While significant press transactions have usually happened either after elections or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs under six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a time when opinion research are indicating that they have a genuine competitor for the first time in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is campaigning on commitments to eliminate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the damage he says it has done to Hungary's political freedom.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, declaring it represents another effort by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Importance

Though Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also run multiple stories on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," stated a media analyst. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an impact on the citizenry."

Global Perspective

For over a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "illiberal democracies" around the world.

Ex-US administrators and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power necessitated "owning press organizations."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a legislation that established official oversight over the primary press oversight body and positioned the public broadcaster in the hands of allies.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned investor who is also top executive of a state-aligned TV network.

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a profitable publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier stated in a release that its determination to transfer was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for response.