Surprise as Orbán Allies Purchase Hungary's Most-Read Daily Publication

Media professionals at the country's most popular newspaper have voiced surprise after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which coincides with Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to increase government influence on the press.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose news site reaches about three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's outgoing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were leaving in "shared decision" with the new owner.

They had been hired seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, reporting on political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he said on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Employees of Blikk said they were taken aback. "I came close to a medical emergency when I was informed of the news," said one journalist, who wished to be unnamed. "Personally, this is ethically questionable."

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

Press Environment Concerns

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain say they are in a difficult position as there are few other publications left to which they could apply.

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

Political Context

While major media deals have typically occurred either following voting or during a calm political phase, the buyout of Ringier Hungary occurs fewer than six months before April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a period when polls are signalling that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in more than a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is running on promises to eradicate systemic graft, has been outspoken about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he says it has affected Hungary's political freedom.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary transaction, declaring it represents another move by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

Though Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its entertainment section and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also published many pieces on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a communications specialist. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If partisan content appears in such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an influence on the citizenry."

Global Context

For over a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" around the world.

Previous US leaders and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US right-leaning politicians that the route to leadership necessitated "owning press organizations."

Past Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's regime passed a regulation that established government control over the main media regulator and positioned the national media outlet in the control of loyalists.

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also chief executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a profitable media company of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a release that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our focus on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for response.