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Media professionals at Hungary's most popular publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The buyout, which occurs while Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to expand state control on the media.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had acquired a portfolio of Hungarian media assets, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose online platform attracts approximately three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

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

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing politics, economics, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.

Employee Responses

Employees of Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I almost had a medical emergency when I was informed of the announcement," stated one journalist, who requested to remain unnamed. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Many journalists who have opted to continue say they are in a complex circumstance as there are not many other outlets remaining where they could look for work.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned media landscape to enhance his reputation and public opinion ratings.

Election Context

While significant press acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a moment when polls are signalling that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is promoting promises to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the damage he asserts it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, saying it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a popular newspaper, renowned for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also published numerous articles on possible misconduct.

"Blikk is by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a sector dominator," said a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular digital platform in Hungary. If partisan content appears in such highly popular and popular media, it will have an effect on the general population."

International Context

For more than a decade, Hungary has acted as a model for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.

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

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

Historical Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a regulation that imposed government control over the primary press oversight body and positioned the national media outlet in the management of supporters.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also CEO of a pro-government private channel.

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a profitable publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that have significant influence in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier said in a statement that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A state communicator was sought for response.