Disbelief as Orbán Allies Acquire the Nation's Top Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's most-read publication have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, acquired the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.
Context of Acquisition
The acquisition, which occurs while Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is largely considered another attempt to strengthen government influence on the media.
A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a group of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose news site reaches about three million online readers monthly.
Management Changes
Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were leaving in "shared decision" with the new owner.
They had been hired seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more reader-centered, covering political affairs, economics, and culture," he commented on social media.
Staff Reactions
Staff at Blikk admitted feeling stunned. "I nearly experienced a medical emergency when I was informed of the declaration," stated one correspondent, who requested to remain anonymous. "For me, this is ethically questionable."
Blikk has named a new editor-in-chief, Baláz Kolossváry.
Press Environment Issues
Several media professionals who have opted to continue say they are in a complex circumstance as there are few other media organizations remaining where they could look for work.
Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned news ecosystem to boost his image and poll numbers.
Political Context
While significant press transactions have tended to take place either following voting or during a calm political phase, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months prior to April's national vote.
Blikk was seen as a main goal for Orbán and his party at a time when surveys are signalling that they have a genuine competitor for the premier instance in over a decade.
Opposition Response
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is campaigning on commitments to eliminate entrenched dishonesty, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he claims it has affected Hungary's democracy.
He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it represents another effort by Orbán to cement his control over Hungary's news publications.
Newspaper's Importance
While Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its celebrity news and over-the-top headlines, in the past few years it has also run many pieces on suspected graft.
"This newspaper stands as by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," commented a media analyst. "Its online site has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, becoming the fourth most visited digital platform in Hungary. If partisan content is published by such highly popular and mainstream outlets, it will have an influence on the citizenry."
Global Perspective
For exceeding a decade now, Hungary has functioned as a model for other "semi-democratic systems" internationally.
Former American officials and their associates have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.
In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the way to governance demanded "owning press organizations."
Historical Press Control
In 2010, Orbán's administration approved a regulation that imposed official oversight over the primary press oversight body and put the national media outlet in the management of loyalists.
Proprietorship 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 other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a profitable press organization of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier stated in a statement that its determination to transfer was "based solely on business strategy factors and our emphasis on our primary online operations in Hungary."
A official representative was contacted for response.
