Surprise as Orbán Allies Acquire the Nation's Leading Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's leading publication have shown disbelief 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 Purchase
The purchase, which occurs while Hungary approaches important elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to increase government influence on the news outlets.
A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose online platform reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.
Management Shake-up
Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.
Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing political affairs, economic matters, and culture," he commented on social media.
Staff Reactions
Workers from Blikk said they were stunned. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the announcement," stated one correspondent, who asked to stay unidentified. "For me, this is ethically questionable."
Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Press Environment Concerns
Several media professionals who have decided to stay admit being in a complex circumstance as there are few other publications remaining where they could look for work.
During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting news ecosystem to strengthen his public perception and polls.
Election Context
Whereas major media acquisitions have usually happened either following voting or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens under six months ahead of April's general election.
Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a period when polls are indicating that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in more than a decade.
Opposition Response
The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting promises to eliminate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he claims it has caused to Hungary's democracy.
He has criticised the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it represents another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's press organizations.
Newspaper's Importance
Though Blikk is a popular newspaper, known for its gossip column and over-the-top headlines, in the recent years it has also published multiple stories on suspected graft.
"Blikk is by far the most read daily publication in Hungary, a market leader," stated a press expert. "Its online site has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited online site in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an effect on the citizenry."
Global Context
For over a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.
Previous US leaders and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.
In 2022, Orbán told a gathering of US conservatives that the route to leadership required "controlling media outlets."
Past Media Control
In 2010, Orbán's administration passed a legislation that established government control over the chief communications authority and positioned the national media outlet in the hands of loyalists.
Ownership Information
Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also chief executive of a government-friendly television station.
In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a well-performing media company of comparable scale to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and recognized names that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."
Ringier announced in a release that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A state communicator was sought for response.