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Journalists at the country's most-read publication have shown disbelief after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which coincides with Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to expand government influence on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had bought a collection of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose news site attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and a top executive were departing in "shared decision" with the current proprietor.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on compelling journalism" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on politics, economics, and culture," he stated on social media.

Employee Responses

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I almost had a medical emergency when I learned about the news," remarked one journalist, who requested to remain unidentified. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."

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

Media Landscape Concerns

Several media professionals who have chosen to remain say they are in a complex circumstance as there are not many other publications available where they could seek employment.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned press environment to enhance his reputation and polls.

Election Timing

While important publication deals have tended to take place either after elections or during a calm political phase, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when opinion research are suggesting that they have a genuine competitor for the first time in over a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is running on promises to eradicate entrenched dishonesty, has been direct about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the damage he asserts it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, declaring it constitutes another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Importance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its gossip column and over-the-top headlines, in the recent years it has also published numerous articles on suspected graft.

"Blikk is by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a press expert. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited online site in Hungary. If propaganda features in such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an effect on the public."

International Perspective

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

Ex-US administrators and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a conference of US conservatives that the route to leadership demanded "having their own media."

Past Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a regulation that established state authority over the primary press oversight body and positioned the national media outlet in the hands of supporters.

Ownership Details

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

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a well-performing press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and popular products that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a statement that its choice to divest was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A state communicator was approached for comment.