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Media professionals at the country's leading publication have shown disbelief after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another effort to expand state control on the press.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired 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 another senior manager were leaving in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.

They had been hired seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on politics, economics, and cultural topics," he said on social media.

Staff Reactions

Employees of Blikk said they were shocked. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the declaration," said one reporter, who wished to be anonymous. "For me, this is ethically questionable."

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

Media Landscape Issues

Many journalists who have decided to stay admit being in a difficult position as there are few other outlets available where they could look for work.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling pro-government news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and polls.

Election Context

Whereas significant press transactions have typically occurred either post-election or during a calm political phase, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes under six months prior to April's national vote.

Blikk was considered a prime target for Orbán and his party at a time when opinion research are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in more than a decade.

Political Rival Reaction

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is campaigning on commitments to eliminate systemic graft, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the damage he asserts it has affected Hungary's political freedom.

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

Newspaper's Significance

While Blikk is a tabloid, famous for its celebrity news and over-the-top headlines, in the recent years it has also featured multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"The publication represents by far the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," commented a press expert. "Its online site has become remarkably well-received in recent years, becoming the fourth most read digital platform in Hungary. If biased information is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the public."

Global Context

For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" internationally.

Former American officials and their supporters have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US conservatives that the way to governance necessitated "having their own media."

Past Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a legislation that asserted official oversight over the chief communications authority and positioned the national media outlet in the control of supporters.

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting investor who is also chief executive of a government-friendly television station.

In a announcement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a successful media company of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier said in a communication that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was approached for statement.