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Media professionals at Hungary's most-read newspaper have voiced surprise after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The purchase, which occurs while Hungary prepares for pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another move to strengthen state control on the media.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had purchased a group of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose news site attracts approximately three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's outgoing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were departing in "shared decision" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he commented on Facebook.

Staff Responses

Employees of Blikk admitted feeling stunned. "I came close to a medical emergency when I learned about the announcement," said one correspondent, who requested to remain unnamed. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Several media professionals who have opted to continue admit being in a complex circumstance as there are limited other publications left to which they could seek employment.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread government-supporting news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and public opinion ratings.

Political Timing

Whereas significant press deals have typically occurred either after elections or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary happens less than six months prior to April's national vote.

Blikk was considered a prime target for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are indicating that they have a real challenger for the first time in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is promoting promises to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he says it has done to Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, declaring it represents another move by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

Though Blikk is a daily publication, famous for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the past few years it has also published many pieces on possible misconduct.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most read daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," said a media analyst. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular digital platform in Hungary. If biased information is published by such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an impact on the general population."

International Perspective

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a example for other "illiberal democracies" globally.

Ex-US administrators and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán told a gathering of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power necessitated "owning press organizations."

Historical Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a legislation that imposed government control over the main media regulator and put the state broadcaster in the control of supporters.

Proprietorship Details

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government businessman who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network.

In a declaration, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the company is obtaining a well-performing publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that have significant influence in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier stated in a statement that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for comment.