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Reporters at the country's most-read publication have shown disbelief after a media group considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which comes as Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to expand government influence on the media.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian media assets, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose digital edition draws around three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "common understanding" with the new owner.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, addressing politics, economics, and culture," he said on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I heard the declaration," said one journalist, who wished to be anonymous. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."

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

Press Environment Concerns

Numerous reporters who have decided to stay acknowledge feeling in a difficult position as there are not many other publications left to which 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 poll numbers.

Political Context

Whereas significant press transactions have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the buyout of Ringier Hungary occurs under six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was viewed as a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when surveys are suggesting that they have a serious opponent for the first time in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is running on pledges to root out entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's democracy.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it represents another attempt by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Significance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, known for its entertainment section and over-the-top headlines, in the last several years it has also published multiple stories on alleged corruption.

"The publication represents by far the most read newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," said a press expert. "The web version has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read website in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an effect on the general population."

International Context

For more than a decade, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.

Former American officials and their supporters have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US conservatives that the route to leadership required "having their own media."

Past Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that asserted government control over the primary press oversight body and put the state broadcaster in the management of supporters.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also CEO of a government-friendly television station.

In a statement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a successful publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a communication that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for statement.