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Reporters at Hungary's leading newspaper have expressed shock after a media group considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Acquisition

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary prepares for important elections next year, is widely seen as another move to strengthen state control on the press.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose digital edition attracts approximately three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "mutual agreement" with the current proprietor.

They had been hired seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Employees of Blikk said they were taken aback. "I came close to a medical emergency when I heard the news," remarked one reporter, who requested to remain unnamed. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

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

Press Environment Issues

Several media professionals who have opted to continue admit being in a difficult position as there are limited other media organizations left to which they could look for work.

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

Election Context

While major media acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a moment when polls are indicating that they have a real challenger for the first time in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Response

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is campaigning on pledges to eliminate systemic graft, has been outspoken about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he says it has done to Hungary's democratic system.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it signifies another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Importance

While Blikk is a popular newspaper, known for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured many pieces on alleged corruption.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a media analyst. "The web version has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If biased information features in such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an effect on the public."

Global Perspective

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

Ex-US administrators and their allies have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.

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

Historical Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a law that imposed government control over the chief communications authority and positioned the national media outlet in the hands of allies.

Ownership Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned entrepreneur who is also top executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a statement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a well-performing press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that have significant influence in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a release that its determination to transfer was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for response.