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Media professionals at Hungary's leading publication have expressed shock after a media group considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Acquisition

The buyout, which occurs while Hungary prepares for crucial elections next year, is widely seen as another effort to strengthen government influence on the press.

A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had acquired a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular daily newspaper whose digital edition reaches about three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

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

They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing political affairs, economics, and culture," he commented on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Workers from Blikk expressed being taken aback. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I learned about the news," remarked one reporter, who wished to be unidentified. "Personally, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Many journalists who have chosen to remain say they are in a complex circumstance as there are few other media organizations remaining where they could seek employment.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned media landscape to enhance his reputation and public opinion ratings.

Election Timing

While significant press deals have typically occurred either after elections or during a quiet political period, the buyout of Ringier Hungary comes under six months before April's general election.

Blikk was viewed as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a time when surveys are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the initial occasion in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The rival candidate, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is running on commitments to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "media machine" and the negative impact he claims it has affected Hungary's democracy.

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

Publication's Significance

Although Blikk is a tabloid, renowned for its gossip column and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also published numerous articles on alleged corruption.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most widely circulated newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," said a communications specialist. "Its online site has become surprisingly popular in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read website in Hungary. If propaganda appears in such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an effect on the public."

International Perspective

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

Previous US leaders and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership demanded "controlling media outlets."

Past Media Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government approved a regulation that imposed official oversight over the primary press oversight body and positioned the national media outlet in the hands of allies.

Ownership Information

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

In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is acquiring a well-performing press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier said in a release that its choice to divest was "motivated entirely by business strategy factors and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A government spokesperson was approached for statement.