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Journalists at Hungary's most popular publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The buyout, which occurs while Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another attempt to expand state control on the press.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose news site attracts approximately three million online readers monthly.

Management Shake-up

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "common understanding" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, covering politics, economics, and cultural topics," he commented on social media.

Employee Reactions

Staff at Blikk expressed being stunned. "I came close to a cardiac episode when I was informed of the announcement," said one correspondent, who asked to stay unidentified. "For me, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Several media professionals who have decided to stay admit being in a complex circumstance as there are not many other media organizations left to which they could look for work.

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

Political Timing

Whereas major media deals have usually happened either following voting or during a stable political time, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his political organization at a time when polls are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the first time in more than a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is running on commitments to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the damage he asserts it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it signifies another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

Although Blikk is a tabloid, known for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the past few years it has also run many pieces on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a press expert. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most visited digital platform in Hungary. If biased information appears in such widely read and popular media, it will have an impact on the citizenry."

International Perspective

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

Ex-US administrators and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a meeting of US conservatives that the path to power demanded "controlling media outlets."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a regulation that asserted state authority over the chief communications authority and positioned the public broadcaster in the hands of supporters.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting investor who is also top executive of a government-friendly television station.

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is acquiring a well-performing press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that have significant influence in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier stated in a release that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our concentration on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was sought for comment.