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Reporters at the country's leading publication have expressed shock after a media conglomerate considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to increase government influence on the news outlets.

A pro-Orbán media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had acquired a portfolio of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "common understanding" with the new owner.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more audience-focused, covering politics, economics, and culture," he said on social media.

Staff Reactions

Staff at Blikk said they were shocked. "I nearly experienced a cardiac episode when I heard the news," said one journalist, who asked to stay unidentified. "In my view, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has announced a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Several media professionals who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a difficult position as there are few other media organizations left to which they could apply.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned press environment to strengthen his public perception and polls.

Political Timing

While important publication deals have tended to take place either after elections or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months ahead of April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was considered a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when opinion research are suggesting that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Response

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting pledges to eradicate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he asserts it has done to Hungary's democracy.

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

Publication's Significance

While Blikk is a tabloid, famous for its gossip column and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also published many pieces on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most popular newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," commented a press expert. "The web version has become remarkably well-received in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If biased information features in such widely read and influential publications, it will have an effect on the public."

International Perspective

For more than a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a example for other "semi-democratic systems" internationally.

Former American officials and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power required "having their own media."

Past Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a legislation that imposed official oversight over the chief communications authority and positioned the state broadcaster in the management of allies.

Ownership Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government businessman who is also CEO of a government-friendly television station.

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a successful publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a communication that its determination to transfer was "driven exclusively by strategic economic considerations and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was contacted for comment.