Surprise as Government Supporters Acquire Hungary's Top Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's leading publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.
Timing of Purchase
The purchase, which coincides with Hungary approaches important elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to strengthen state control on the media.
A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose online platform attracts approximately three million web users monthly.
Leadership Shake-up
Blikk's outgoing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive 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 compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, reporting on political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on social media.
Employee Responses
Employees of Blikk said they were taken aback. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I heard the announcement," said one reporter, who asked to stay unidentified. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."
Blikk has introduced a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Issues
Several media professionals who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a challenging situation as there are limited other media organizations available where they could apply.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned media landscape to boost his image and polls.
Election Timing
While significant press transactions have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs under six months ahead of April's parliamentary election.
Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when polls are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in over a decade.
Opposition Reaction
The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is campaigning on pledges to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he asserts it has done to Hungary's democracy.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it represents another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's news publications.
Publication's Importance
Although Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its gossip column and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also featured multiple stories on alleged corruption.
"This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a press expert. "Its online site has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an influence on the public."
Global Context
For over a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a model for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.
Previous US leaders and their associates have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in press freedom rankings.
In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership demanded "controlling media outlets."
Historical Press Regulation
In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a legislation that asserted government control over the main media regulator and positioned the public broadcaster in the hands of loyalists.
Ownership Information
Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned investor who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.
In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is acquiring a successful publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."
Ringier stated in a release that its decision to sell was "driven exclusively by business strategy factors and our focus on our primary online operations in Hungary."
A state communicator was sought for statement.
