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Journalists at Hungary's most-read newspaper have voiced surprise after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary approaches important elections next year, is largely considered another effort to increase government influence on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired a portfolio of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site reaches about three million online readers monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "common understanding" with the new owner.

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on compelling journalism" and to be "more reader-centered, covering political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he commented on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Employees of Blikk said they were shocked. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the declaration," stated one journalist, who asked to stay anonymous. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Many journalists who have opted to continue say they are in a complex circumstance as there are limited other media organizations remaining where they could apply.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting media landscape to enhance his reputation and polls.

Political Timing

Whereas important publication transactions have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs less than six months before April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his political organization at a time when opinion research are signalling that they have a real challenger for the first time in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is running on promises to eliminate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he says it has affected Hungary's political freedom.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's news publications.

Newspaper's Importance

Though Blikk is a tabloid, famous for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also published multiple stories on suspected graft.

"The publication represents by far the most widely circulated newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented a media analyst. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If biased information is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the public."

Global Context

For exceeding a decade, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" globally.

Former American officials and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a conference of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership demanded "owning press organizations."

Past Press Regulation

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

Ownership Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network.

In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the company is obtaining a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier announced in a communication that its determination to transfer was "based solely on business strategy factors and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for comment.