Disbelief as Orbán Allies Take Over Hungary's Most-Read Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's most popular publication have expressed shock after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.
Timing of Purchase
The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to strengthen state control on the press.
A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a collection of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose online platform reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.
Leadership Changes
Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another senior manager were departing in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.
They were appointed seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on politics, economics, and culture," he stated on Facebook.
Staff Reactions
Workers from Blikk admitted feeling stunned. "I came close to a heart attack when I learned about the announcement," said one reporter, who asked to stay unidentified. "Personally, this is professionally concerning."
Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Press Environment Issues
Numerous reporters who have decided to stay say they are in a difficult position as there are not many other media organizations available where they could seek employment.
Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting media landscape to enhance his reputation and polls.
Political Context
Although significant press acquisitions have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months ahead of April's general election.
Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a period when polls are suggesting that they have a serious opponent for the initial occasion in over a decade.
Opposition Response
The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is promoting pledges to root out systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the damage he claims it has done to Hungary's democratic system.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, declaring it signifies another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's news publications.
Publication's Importance
Though Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its celebrity news and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also featured multiple stories on alleged corruption.
"The publication represents by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a press expert. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If biased information appears in such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an effect on the general population."
International Perspective
For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" around the world.
Former American officials and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in press freedom rankings.
In 2022, Orbán told a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the route to leadership demanded "owning press organizations."
Historical Press Control
In 2010, Orbán's government approved a law that asserted state authority over the primary press oversight body and positioned the public broadcaster in the hands of supporters.
Ownership Information
Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also top executive of a state-aligned TV network.
In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a successful publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier stated in a statement that its determination to transfer was "based solely on business strategy factors and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A government spokesperson was sought for statement.
