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Reporters at the country's most popular publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another effort to strengthen government influence on the press.

A pro-Orbán media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had purchased a portfolio of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose online platform reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "shared decision" with the current proprietor.

They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, covering political affairs, economic matters, and culture," he commented on Facebook.

Employee Reactions

Employees of Blikk said they were taken aback. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I heard the announcement," remarked one reporter, who requested to remain unnamed. "In my view, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Several media professionals who have decided to stay say they are in a complex circumstance as there are limited other outlets available where they could apply.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government news ecosystem to strengthen his public perception and polls.

Election Timing

Whereas major media acquisitions have tended to take place either after elections or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary occurs under six months before April's national vote.

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

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is promoting commitments to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary deal, declaring it represents another attempt by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Significance

While Blikk is a daily publication, known for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the recent years it has also featured numerous articles on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most popular newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited website in Hungary. If biased information is published by such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an influence on the citizenry."

Global Perspective

For more than a decade, Hungary has acted as a example for other "illiberal democracies" internationally.

Ex-US administrators and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership required "having their own media."

Past Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a regulation that established government control over the primary press oversight body and placed the state broadcaster in the control of loyalists.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned entrepreneur who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner 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 established industry presence and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a release that its determination to transfer was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was sought for comment.