Disbelief as Government Supporters Purchase Hungary's Most-Read Newspaper
Media professionals at the country's leading publication have shown disbelief after a media group considered aligned with nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.
Timing of Purchase
The acquisition, which coincides with Hungary gears up for important elections next year, is generally viewed as another move to expand government influence on the media.
A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a widely-read daily newspaper whose online platform reaches about three million web users monthly.
Management Shake-up
Blikk's former chief editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were leaving in "shared decision" with the acquiring company.
They were appointed seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on engaging content" and to be "more audience-focused, reporting on politics, economic matters, and cultural topics," he stated on Facebook.
Employee Reactions
Workers from Blikk expressed being shocked. "I almost had a heart attack when I was informed of the declaration," stated one correspondent, who wished to be unidentified. "For me, this is morally unacceptable."
Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.
Media Landscape Issues
Several media professionals who have chosen to remain admit being in a difficult position as there are not many other outlets remaining where they could look for work.
Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned media landscape to strengthen his public perception and poll numbers.
Election Context
Although important publication transactions have tended to take place either following voting or during a stable political time, the purchase of Ringier Hungary happens fewer than six months ahead of April's national vote.
Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his political organization at a period when polls are signalling that they have a serious opponent for the first time in exceeding a decade.
Political Rival Reaction
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is campaigning on pledges to root out systemic graft, has been vocal about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he claims it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.
He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it constitutes another attempt by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's news publications.
Newspaper's Significance
Though Blikk is a daily publication, known for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also run many pieces on alleged corruption.
"Blikk is by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," said a media analyst. "The web version has become unexpectedly successful in the past few years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If partisan content features in such widely read and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the general population."
International Context
For over a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" globally.
Previous US leaders and their supporters have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in press freedom rankings.
In 2022, Orbán told a gathering of US right-leaning politicians that the route to leadership demanded "controlling media outlets."
Past Media Control
In 2010, Orbán's administration enacted a law that asserted government control over the chief communications authority and positioned the public broadcaster in the management of allies.
Proprietorship Details
Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a pro-government entrepreneur who is also CEO of a state-aligned TV network.
In a declaration, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, stated: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a successful publication group of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with established industry presence and popular products that have significant influence in the Hungarian media landscape."
Ringier said in a communication that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by commercial planning elements and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."
A government spokesperson was sought for comment.
