Shock as Orbán Allies Purchase Hungary's Leading Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's leading publication have shown disbelief after a media group considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.
Context of Acquisition
The buyout, which occurs while Hungary gears up for important elections next year, is largely considered another move to strengthen state control on the press.
A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose digital edition attracts approximately three million web users monthly.
Management Shake-up
Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.
They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, covering political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he commented on social media.
Employee Reactions
Staff at Blikk expressed being taken aback. "I came close to a heart attack when I was informed of the news," said one journalist, who asked to stay unnamed. "Personally, this is professionally concerning."
Blikk has announced a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.
Press Environment Issues
Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain admit being in a complex circumstance as there are few other publications remaining where they could look for work.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting press environment to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.
Election Timing
While significant press deals have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months ahead of April's general election.
Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are signalling that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.
Opposition Reaction
The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is campaigning on commitments to root out deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the negative impact he asserts it has done to Hungary's political freedom.
He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it represents another move by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.
Newspaper's Importance
Though Blikk is a tabloid, known for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also run many pieces on suspected graft.
"Blikk is by far the most read newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a press expert. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If biased information is published by such widely read and popular media, it will have an effect on the public."
Global Context
For exceeding a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.
Previous US leaders and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.
In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the way to governance required "having their own media."
Historical Press Control
In 2010, Orbán's administration passed a legislation that asserted state authority over the chief communications authority and positioned the national media outlet in the management of loyalists.
Ownership Details
Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting entrepreneur who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.
In a announcement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a profitable publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and successful brands that have significant influence in the Hungarian communications sector."
Ringier said in a statement that its determination to transfer was "driven exclusively by business strategy factors and our focus on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A government spokesperson was approached for comment.
