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Media professionals at Hungary's most popular newspaper have voiced surprise after a media group considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The acquisition, which occurs while Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is largely considered another attempt to increase government influence on the media.

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

Management Shake-up

Blikk's former editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "shared decision" with the new owner.

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.

Staff Responses

Workers from Blikk expressed being shocked. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I learned about the news," said one journalist, who wished to be unidentified. "For me, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain admit being in a difficult position as there are limited other publications available where they could look for work.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive state-aligned news ecosystem to boost his image and polls.

Election Context

While major media acquisitions have tended to take place either post-election or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes under six months prior to April's general election.

Blikk was viewed as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a period when opinion research are signalling that they have a genuine competitor for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is promoting commitments to root out entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he says it has affected Hungary's democratic system.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it represents another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

Though Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also run numerous articles on possible misconduct.

"Blikk is by far the most popular newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," commented a press expert. "Its online site has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If biased information features in such highly popular and popular media, it will have an impact on the public."

International Perspective

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a model for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" around the world.

Former American officials and their associates have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the path to power necessitated "owning press organizations."

Past Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration passed a regulation that asserted state authority over the chief communications authority and put the state broadcaster in the management of supporters.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government businessman who is also chief executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a profitable publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier announced in a communication that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by business strategy factors and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was sought for response.