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Media professionals at the country's most-read newspaper have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to increase government influence on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose online platform draws around three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's former chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were exiting in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he said on social media.

Employee Responses

Employees of Blikk expressed being stunned. "I came close to a cardiac episode when I learned about the news," remarked one correspondent, who asked to stay unidentified. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."

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

Media Landscape Concerns

Several media professionals who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are few other outlets available where they could seek employment.

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

Political Context

While major media acquisitions have usually happened either following voting or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary occurs under six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was considered a key objective for Orbán and his party at a time when surveys are signalling that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is running on pledges to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been direct about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the damage he asserts it has done to Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's press organizations.

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the recent years it has also published numerous articles on possible misconduct.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a press expert. "The web version has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most visited website in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such widely read and popular media, it will have an effect on the citizenry."

Global Context

For over a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a model for other "illiberal democracies" around the world.

Former American officials and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US conservatives that the path to power required "controlling media outlets."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that imposed government control over the primary press oversight body and positioned the state broadcaster in the control of supporters.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government businessman who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.

In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a well-performing media company of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier stated in a release that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was contacted for response.