Disbelief as Orbán Allies Purchase the Nation's Most-Read Newspaper
Journalists at the country's leading publication have expressed shock after a media group seen as close to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, purchased the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.
Context of Purchase
The buyout, which comes as Hungary prepares for crucial elections next year, is widely seen as another effort to expand government influence on the news outlets.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had purchased a portfolio of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose digital edition reaches about three million web users monthly.
Leadership Shake-up
Blikk's former chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the acquiring company.
Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on compelling journalism" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on political affairs, economic matters, and culture," he commented on social media.
Staff Responses
Employees of Blikk said they were stunned. "I came close to a medical emergency when I was informed of the news," remarked one journalist, who wished to be anonymous. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."
Blikk has named a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Concerns
Several media professionals who have decided to stay admit being in a difficult position as there are not many other media organizations remaining where they could apply.
During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling pro-government press environment to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.
Political Timing
Although significant press transactions have tended to take place either post-election or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's national vote.
Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his political organization at a time when opinion research are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the premier instance in over a decade.
Political Rival Response
The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is running on promises to eliminate systemic graft, has been direct about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the negative impact he claims it has caused to Hungary's democracy.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, declaring it constitutes another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's press organizations.
Newspaper's Significance
Though Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its celebrity news and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also run numerous articles on alleged corruption.
"Blikk is by far the most read daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," stated a press expert. "Its online site has become remarkably well-received in the past few years, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If propaganda features in such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the general population."
International Context
For more than a decade now, Hungary has acted as a model for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.
Former American officials and their associates 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 required "owning press organizations."
Historical Press Regulation
In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a regulation that asserted state authority over the main media regulator and placed the public broadcaster in the management of supporters.
Ownership Information
Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also top 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 group is gaining a well-performing press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and recognized names that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."
Ringier announced in a release that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A state communicator was approached for statement.
