Disbelief as Government Supporters Take Over Hungary's Leading Newspaper
Journalists at Hungary's most-read publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.
Context of Acquisition
The buyout, which comes as Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to expand state control on the news outlets.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian media assets, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose news site reaches about three million web users monthly.
Leadership Changes
Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.
They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, reporting on politics, economic matters, and culture," he stated on social media.
Staff Reactions
Staff at Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I almost had a heart attack when I learned about the declaration," said one reporter, who asked to stay unnamed. "For me, this is professionally concerning."
Blikk has introduced a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Concerns
Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are few other outlets left to which they could apply.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting media landscape to boost his image and poll numbers.
Election Timing
Whereas significant press acquisitions have usually happened either post-election or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months ahead of April's national vote.
Blikk was viewed as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are suggesting that they have a genuine competitor for the first time in exceeding a decade.
Opposition Response
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is campaigning on commitments to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he asserts it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.
He has questioned the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it represents another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets.
Publication's Importance
Though Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its entertainment section and dramatic titles, in the past few years it has also published many pieces on suspected graft.
"Blikk is by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a sector dominator," stated a communications specialist. "Its online site has become remarkably well-received in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular digital platform in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an impact on the public."
International Context
For more than a decade, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" globally.
Previous US leaders and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.
In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership necessitated "controlling media outlets."
Historical Press Control
In 2010, Orbán's government approved a regulation that established state authority over the chief communications authority and placed the national media outlet in the hands of allies.
Proprietorship Details
Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network.
In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a successful press organization of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and popular products that have significant influence in the Hungarian press environment."
Ringier said in a release that its determination to transfer was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our focus on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A government spokesperson was contacted for response.
