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Media professionals at Hungary's most popular publication have expressed shock after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which coincides with Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is largely considered another effort to expand government influence on the press.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose digital edition reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Employees of Blikk admitted feeling stunned. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the declaration," stated one reporter, who wished to be anonymous. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."

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

Press Environment Issues

Many journalists who have chosen to remain admit being in a challenging situation as there are few other publications available where they could look for work.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling government-supporting media landscape to strengthen his public perception and public opinion ratings.

Election Context

Whereas important publication acquisitions have tended to take place either after elections or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months before April's general election.

Blikk was considered a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a period when surveys are suggesting that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is campaigning on commitments to eradicate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the negative impact he claims it has affected Hungary's democratic system.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it signifies another attempt by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.

Publication's Significance

While Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its gossip column and dramatic titles, in the recent years it has also published multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"The publication represents by far the most read newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular digital platform in Hungary. If biased information is published by such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an influence on the citizenry."

International Perspective

For more than a decade, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" globally.

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

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US conservatives that the way to governance demanded "having their own media."

Past Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that established official oversight over the chief communications authority and put the state broadcaster in the hands of loyalists.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting entrepreneur who is also chief executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a well-performing press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier announced in a statement that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A state communicator was contacted for statement.