Shock as Government Supporters Purchase the Nation's Leading Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's most-read publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.
Timing of Acquisition
The acquisition, which occurs while Hungary gears up for important elections next year, is widely seen as another effort to increase government influence on the media.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a widely-read daily newspaper whose digital edition reaches about three million web users monthly.
Management Shake-up
Blikk's departing chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were exiting in "shared decision" with the acquiring company.
They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing politics, economic matters, and culture," he said on Facebook.
Staff Reactions
Employees of Blikk said they were stunned. "I came close to a cardiac episode when I learned about the announcement," remarked one journalist, who requested to remain unnamed. "Personally, this is ethically questionable."
Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Issues
Several media professionals who have chosen to remain acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are few other outlets remaining where they could seek employment.
During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling pro-government media landscape to enhance his reputation and poll numbers.
Political Context
Although significant press acquisitions have usually happened either post-election or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes under six months before April's general election.
Blikk was considered a prime target for Orbán and his party at a period when surveys are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the first time in exceeding a decade.
Political Rival Response
The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is running on commitments to root out deep-seated corruption, has been direct about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the negative impact he says it has affected Hungary's democracy.
He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it constitutes another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.
Publication's Importance
While Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the recent years it has also featured many pieces on possible misconduct.
"This newspaper stands as by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," said a media analyst. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If biased information appears in such extensively consumed and influential publications, it will have an influence on the general population."
Global Perspective
For more than a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a example for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.
Previous US leaders 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 conservatives that the path to power necessitated "owning press organizations."
Past Media Regulation
In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a legislation that imposed state authority over the chief communications authority and positioned the national media outlet in the control of allies.
Ownership Details
Indamedia is 50% owned by MiklĂł Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.
In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier announced in a statement that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A official representative was contacted for statement.