Surprise as Orbán Allies Purchase Hungary's Most-Read Newspaper
Reporters at Hungary's leading publication have voiced surprise after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.
Context of Purchase
The buyout, which coincides with Hungary prepares for crucial elections next year, is widely seen as another move to expand government influence on the news outlets.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.
Management Shake-up
Blikk's former editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, stated on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the new owner.
They had been hired seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, covering politics, economic matters, and culture," he commented on social media.
Staff Responses
Staff at Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I came close to a cardiac episode when I was informed of the declaration," remarked one reporter, who requested to remain unidentified. "In my view, this is morally unacceptable."
Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Concerns
Several media professionals who have decided to stay acknowledge feeling in a challenging situation as there are not many other publications left to which they could look for work.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government press environment to strengthen his public perception and polls.
Political Timing
Although important publication deals have typically occurred either following voting or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months ahead of April's national vote.
Blikk was viewed as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are indicating that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.
Political Rival Response
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is promoting promises to eradicate systemic graft, has been direct about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he asserts it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary deal, declaring it represents another attempt by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.
Publication's Significance
Although Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the past few years it has also published numerous articles on possible misconduct.
"The publication represents by far the most read daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," said a media analyst. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an influence on the public."
Global Context
For more than a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a model for other "semi-democratic systems" globally.
Ex-US administrators and their associates have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in press freedom rankings.
In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US conservatives that the route to leadership required "owning press organizations."
Past Press Control
In 2010, Orbán's regime enacted a legislation that imposed government control over the primary press oversight body and placed the national media outlet in the control of loyalists.
Proprietorship Details
Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned entrepreneur who is also top executive of a government-friendly television station.
In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a well-performing media company of similar size to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier said in a statement that its decision to sell was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our concentration on our primary online operations in Hungary."
A government spokesperson was contacted for response.
