Surprise as Government Supporters Purchase Hungary's Most-Read Daily Publication
Journalists at the country's most-read publication have shown disbelief after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.
Context of Acquisition
The acquisition, which occurs while Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is widely seen as another effort to strengthen government influence on the press.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose news site reaches about three million online readers monthly.
Management Changes
Blikk's departing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the current proprietor.
They had been hired seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing politics, economics, and culture," he said on social media.
Employee Reactions
Staff at Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I came close to a medical emergency when I heard the news," remarked one journalist, who requested to remain anonymous. "For me, this is ethically questionable."
Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Concerns
Many journalists who have opted to continue admit being in a complex circumstance as there are limited other publications available where they could apply.
Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling government-supporting media landscape to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.
Election Timing
While important publication acquisitions have tended to take place either after elections or during a calm political phase, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's national vote.
Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a time when polls are indicating that they have a genuine competitor for the premier instance in more than a decade.
Opposition Response
The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is promoting promises to root out entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he claims it has done to Hungary's democratic system.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it constitutes another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.
Newspaper's Significance
While Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured many pieces on suspected graft.
"The publication represents by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," said a press expert. "The web version has become remarkably well-received in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If partisan content features in such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an effect on the citizenry."
Global Context
For exceeding a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a example for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.
Former American officials and their associates have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.
In 2022, Orbán addressed a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power required "having their own media."
Historical Media Regulation
In 2010, Orbán's regime passed a regulation that asserted official oversight over the chief communications authority and positioned the state broadcaster in the hands of supporters.
Ownership Information
Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned entrepreneur who is also CEO of a pro-government private channel.
In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier said in a communication that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A state communicator was approached for comment.
