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Media professionals at Hungary's leading newspaper have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its earlier Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The acquisition, which comes as Hungary approaches important elections next year, is largely considered another attempt to expand government influence on the media.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a group of Hungarian media assets, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose online platform attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's former editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "shared decision" with the new owner.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, covering political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on social media.

Employee Reactions

Employees of Blikk expressed being stunned. "I nearly experienced a medical emergency when I learned about the announcement," said one journalist, who wished to be unidentified. "For me, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Several media professionals who have chosen to remain say they are in a difficult position as there are not many other media organizations available where they could apply.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive pro-government news ecosystem to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.

Political Context

Although major media deals have usually happened either post-election or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes fewer than six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a time when polls are indicating that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in over a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is running on promises to root out systemic graft, has been direct about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he asserts it has caused to Hungary's political freedom.

He has questioned the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it signifies another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's press organizations.

Newspaper's Significance

While Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also run multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"The publication represents by far the most read daily publication in Hungary, a sector dominator," said a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become remarkably well-received in the past few years, becoming the fourth most visited digital platform in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an influence on the general population."

Global Perspective

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

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

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

Historical Media Regulation

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

Ownership Information

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

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is gaining a profitable press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier stated in a statement that its determination to transfer was "motivated entirely by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for comment.