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Journalists at Hungary's most-read publication have voiced surprise after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which comes as Hungary gears up for important elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to increase government influence on the press.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose online platform attracts approximately three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's former chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.

They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, covering politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on social media.

Employee Responses

Staff at Blikk said they were stunned. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the declaration," remarked one journalist, who requested to remain unidentified. "In my view, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Many journalists who have opted to continue admit being in a difficult position as there are few other media organizations remaining where they could look for work.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government news ecosystem to strengthen his public perception and polls.

Political Context

While important publication acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a period when polls are suggesting that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in more than a decade.

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is campaigning on pledges to eradicate systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the damage he says it has caused to Hungary's democracy.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary deal, declaring it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations.

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a popular newspaper, known for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the past few years it has also published multiple stories on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a media analyst. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in recent times, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If partisan content appears in such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an influence on the general population."

Global Context

For over a decade now, Hungary has served as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

Ex-US administrators and their allies have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the route to leadership required "owning press organizations."

Past Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a law that established official oversight over the chief communications authority and put the public broadcaster in the control of loyalists.

Ownership Details

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

In a statement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is gaining a successful media company of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and recognized names that have significant influence in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a communication that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our concentration on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was sought for comment.