Disbelief as Government Supporters Purchase the Nation's Most-Read Daily Publication
Journalists at the country's most-read publication have shown disbelief after a media group seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.
Timing of Purchase
The purchase, which comes as Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is largely considered another attempt to expand government influence on the media.
A pro-Orbán media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had bought a collection of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose digital edition reaches about three million web users monthly.
Management Changes
Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were exiting in "shared decision" with the current proprietor.
Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, covering political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.
Employee Reactions
Employees of Blikk said they were shocked. "I came close to a cardiac episode when I learned about the declaration," remarked one correspondent, who requested to remain anonymous. "For me, this is professionally concerning."
Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Issues
Several media professionals who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are limited other publications available where they could apply.
Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned media landscape to boost his image and public opinion ratings.
Election Context
While important publication transactions have typically occurred either after elections or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary happens under six months prior to April's national vote.
Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when polls are suggesting that they have a genuine competitor for the first time in over a decade.
Political Rival Reaction
The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is campaigning on pledges to root out systemic graft, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the damage he asserts it has done to Hungary's political freedom.
He has criticised the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it constitutes another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's press organizations.
Publication's Importance
While Blikk is a tabloid, known for its gossip column and over-the-top headlines, in the recent years it has also published numerous articles on alleged corruption.
"Blikk is by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," said a press expert. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If biased information appears in such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an influence on the general population."
International Perspective
For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has served as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.
Previous US leaders and their associates have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.
In 2022, Orbán addressed a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the path to power demanded "controlling media outlets."
Historical Media Control
In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a legislation that established official oversight over the chief communications authority and positioned the public broadcaster in the control of allies.
Proprietorship Information
Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government businessman who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.
In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is acquiring a profitable press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."
Ringier stated in a release that its choice to divest was "based solely on business strategy factors and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A official representative was sought for response.
