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Journalists at the country's leading publication have expressed shock after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to strengthen government influence on the news outlets.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose digital edition attracts approximately three million online readers monthly.

Management Shake-up

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were leaving in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.

They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on compelling journalism" and to be "more reader-centered, covering politics, economics, and culture," he said on social media.

Staff Responses

Staff at Blikk expressed being stunned. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I learned about the news," stated one correspondent, who asked to stay unnamed. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

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

Media Landscape Issues

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain say they are in a complex circumstance as there are few other outlets remaining where they could apply.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned news ecosystem to strengthen his public perception and polls.

Political Timing

Although important publication acquisitions have typically occurred either following voting or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's general election.

Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when surveys are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the initial occasion in over a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is promoting pledges to root out entrenched dishonesty, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he says it has affected Hungary's democracy.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it constitutes another move by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its gossip column and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured many pieces on suspected graft.

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

International Perspective

For more than a ten-year period, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "illiberal democracies" around the world.

Former American officials and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power required "controlling media outlets."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration approved a regulation that asserted government control over the main media regulator and placed the state broadcaster in the control of supporters.

Ownership Details

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

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the company is gaining a successful media company of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier said in a release that its decision to sell was "based solely on strategic economic considerations and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for comment.