Shock as Orbán Allies Acquire Hungary's Most-Read Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's leading publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.
Timing of Purchase
The purchase, which occurs while Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to expand state control on the press.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose online platform reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.
Management Changes
Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another senior manager were departing in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.
They had been hired seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, covering political affairs, economics, and culture," he said on social media.
Employee Reactions
Employees of Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I came close to a heart attack when I learned about the declaration," said one correspondent, who asked to stay unnamed. "In my view, this is professionally concerning."
Blikk has introduced a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Concerns
Many journalists who have chosen to remain say they are in a challenging situation as there are few other publications left to which they could look for work.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned press environment to enhance his reputation and polls.
Political Context
Although significant press transactions have typically occurred either after elections or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months prior to April's national vote.
Blikk was considered a key objective for Orbán and his party at a period when surveys are suggesting that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in more than a decade.
Opposition Reaction
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is promoting commitments to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he claims it has affected Hungary's democracy.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it represents another effort by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.
Newspaper's Importance
While Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its entertainment section and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also run multiple stories on alleged corruption.
"Blikk is by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent times, becoming the fourth most visited website in Hungary. If biased information appears 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 functioned as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" globally.
Ex-US administrators and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.
In 2022, Orbán told a gathering of US conservatives that the path to power demanded "owning press organizations."
Historical Media Control
In 2010, Orbán's administration passed a law that established state authority over the chief communications authority and placed the state broadcaster in the hands of loyalists.
Proprietorship Details
Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also CEO of a pro-government private channel.
In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a well-performing publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."
Ringier said in a release that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A government spokesperson was sought for comment.
