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Reporters at Hungary's most popular newspaper have shown disbelief after a media group viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The acquisition, which comes as Hungary gears up for important elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to strengthen state control on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read daily newspaper whose news site reaches about three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "common understanding" with the new owner.

They had been hired seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing political affairs, economics, and culture," he stated on social media.

Staff Responses

Workers from Blikk said they were shocked. "I almost had a cardiac episode when I heard the announcement," stated one reporter, who asked to stay anonymous. "For me, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain acknowledge feeling in a difficult position as there are not many other publications available where they could seek employment.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling pro-government press environment to boost his image and polls.

Political Timing

Although major media deals have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was considered a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a period when surveys are indicating that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is promoting commitments to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the negative impact he claims it has done to Hungary's democracy.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it constitutes another effort by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's news publications.

Newspaper's Significance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, known for its gossip column and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also published many pieces on suspected graft.

"The publication represents by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become remarkably well-received in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited online site in Hungary. If partisan content appears in such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the public."

International Perspective

For more than a decade now, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

Ex-US administrators and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US conservatives that the route to leadership necessitated "having their own media."

Historical Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a regulation that established official oversight over the main media regulator and placed the public broadcaster in the hands of loyalists.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned entrepreneur who is also chief executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a announcement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a well-performing press organization of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier said in a statement that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was sought for comment.