🔗 Share this article Shock as Orbán Allies Take Over Hungary's Leading Newspaper Journalists at the country's leading publication have expressed shock after a media group considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners. Timing of Acquisition The purchase, which occurs while Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to expand government influence on the media. A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site attracts approximately three million web users monthly. Leadership Changes Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner. Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, reporting on politics, economic matters, and culture," he said on Facebook. Employee Responses Employees of Blikk expressed being shocked. "I almost had a medical emergency when I was informed of the announcement," said one correspondent, who asked to stay unidentified. "For me, this is ethically questionable." Blikk has named a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry. Press Environment Concerns Several media professionals who have decided to stay say they are in a challenging situation as there are limited other outlets remaining where they could apply. Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned press environment to enhance his reputation and polls. Political Context Although important publication deals have typically occurred either following voting or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months before April's parliamentary election. Blikk was considered a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when surveys are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the initial occasion in more than a decade. Political Rival Response The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is campaigning on commitments to root out deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's democracy. He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it signifies another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's press organizations. Newspaper's Significance Although Blikk is a tabloid, famous for its gossip column and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also run numerous articles on alleged corruption. "This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," said a media analyst. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited digital platform in Hungary. If partisan content features in such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an influence on the public." International Context For over a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a model for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally. Previous US leaders and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in journalistic liberty ratings. In 2022, Orbán spoke to a conference of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power necessitated "having their own media." Past Media Regulation In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that imposed government control over the primary press oversight body and placed the national media outlet in the control of allies. Ownership Details Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network. In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a well-performing publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and recognized names that have significant influence in the Hungarian communications sector." Ringier announced in a statement that its determination to transfer was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our primary online operations in Hungary." A state communicator was sought for comment.