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Media professionals at Hungary's most-read newspaper have shown disbelief after a media group seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The purchase, which comes as Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to expand state control on the news outlets.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a widely-read daily newspaper whose online platform attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another senior manager were leaving in "mutual agreement" with the current proprietor.

They had been hired seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he said on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Staff at Blikk expressed being shocked. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I heard the declaration," remarked one correspondent, who requested to remain unnamed. "For me, this is ethically questionable."

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

Press Environment Concerns

Many journalists who have chosen to remain admit being in a difficult position as there are limited other outlets remaining where they could look for work.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government press environment to enhance his reputation and poll numbers.

Political Timing

While significant press acquisitions have usually happened either after elections or during a quiet political period, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was considered a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a period when polls are suggesting that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is running on pledges to root out deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he asserts it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it represents another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Importance

While Blikk is a tabloid, known for its entertainment section and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also featured numerous articles on alleged corruption.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become remarkably well-received in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an effect on the general population."

Global Context

For more than a decade now, Hungary has acted as a example for other "illiberal democracies" around the world.

Previous US leaders and their allies have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán told a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership necessitated "controlling media outlets."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that asserted state authority over the chief communications authority and positioned the state broadcaster in the hands of supporters.

Proprietorship Details

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

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is acquiring a well-performing press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier stated in a communication that its determination to transfer was "based solely on strategic economic considerations and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for response.