Surprise as Government Supporters Acquire Hungary's Top Newspaper
Reporters at Hungary's most-read publication have expressed shock after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its former Swiss owners.
Timing of Acquisition
The buyout, which comes as Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is largely considered another effort to increase government influence on the news outlets.
A Fidesz-friendly media group, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian titles, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose online platform attracts approximately three million web users monthly.
Management Shake-up
Blikk's departing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were departing in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.
Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he said on Facebook.
Employee Responses
Workers from Blikk said they were taken aback. "I came close to a heart attack when I learned about the announcement," remarked one correspondent, who asked to stay unnamed. "For me, this is ethically questionable."
Blikk has named a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Issues
Several media professionals who have decided to stay say they are in a difficult position as there are not many other publications available where they could seek employment.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive state-aligned press environment to strengthen his public perception and public opinion ratings.
Political Timing
While important publication transactions have usually happened either following voting or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months prior to April's general election.
Blikk was viewed as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the initial occasion in over a decade.
Opposition Response
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza political group is campaigning on promises to root out systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he says it has done to Hungary's democracy.
He has questioned the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it represents another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets.
Newspaper's Importance
While Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its gossip column and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also run multiple stories on possible misconduct.
"Blikk is by far the most popular newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a press expert. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular website in Hungary. If biased information is published by such highly popular and popular media, it will have an effect on the general population."
Global Context
For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has acted as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.
Former American officials and their allies have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in journalistic liberty ratings.
In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US right-leaning politicians that the way to governance required "having their own media."
Past Media Control
In 2010, Orbán's regime enacted a law that imposed government control over the primary press oversight body and placed the public broadcaster in the control of supporters.
Proprietorship Information
Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned entrepreneur who is also chief executive of a state-aligned TV network.
In a statement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the organization is obtaining a profitable publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier said in a communication that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our main internet businesses in Hungary."
A state communicator was contacted for statement.