🔗 Share this article

Media professionals at Hungary's most-read publication have expressed shock after a media conglomerate seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The purchase, which coincides with Hungary prepares for pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another effort to strengthen government influence on the news outlets.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose news site reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "shared decision" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he said on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Employees of Blikk expressed being shocked. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I heard the declaration," said one reporter, who asked to stay unnamed. "In my view, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Many journalists who have opted to continue admit being in a challenging situation as there are not many other publications remaining where they could look for work.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling government-supporting press environment to enhance his reputation and public opinion ratings.

Election Context

While significant press acquisitions have tended to take place either after elections or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was considered a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a time when polls are indicating that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is campaigning on pledges to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he asserts it has affected Hungary's democracy.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it constitutes another move by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Significance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the past few years it has also run many pieces on alleged corruption.

"The publication represents by far the most read daily publication in Hungary, a market leader," said a communications specialist. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If partisan content features in such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the public."

International Perspective

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.

Previous US leaders and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán told a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power required "having their own media."

Past Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that imposed official oversight over the main media regulator and put the public broadcaster in the management of loyalists.

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting investor who is also chief executive of a government-friendly television station.

In a statement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is gaining a profitable publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a communication that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our focus on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for comment.