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Journalists at the country's leading publication have expressed shock after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The purchase, which coincides with Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is generally viewed as another move to strengthen state control on the media.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose news site attracts approximately three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the current proprietor.

They were appointed seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on compelling journalism" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he commented on Facebook.

Employee Reactions

Employees of Blikk admitted feeling shocked. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the declaration," stated one correspondent, who requested to remain unidentified. "Personally, this is professionally concerning."

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

Media Landscape Issues

Numerous reporters who have decided to stay admit being in a complex circumstance as there are not many other media organizations remaining where they could seek employment.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government media landscape to enhance his reputation and poll numbers.

Political Context

Whereas important publication transactions have tended to take place either after elections or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary occurs under six months ahead of April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a period when surveys are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Response

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is campaigning on pledges to eradicate systemic graft, has been outspoken about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he says it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary deal, saying it represents another move by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's news publications.

Publication's Significance

While Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the past few years it has also published multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"The publication represents by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a sector dominator," commented 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 biased information features in such highly popular and influential publications, it will have an impact on the general population."

International Context

For more than a decade now, Hungary has served as a blueprint for other "semi-democratic systems" internationally.

Previous US leaders and their associates have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US conservatives that the path to power required "having their own media."

Historical Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's government approved a regulation that asserted government control over the chief communications authority and positioned the public broadcaster in the control of allies.

Ownership Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also top executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a announcement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a profitable publication group of comparable scale to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a statement that its decision to sell was "based solely on business strategy factors and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for response.