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Reporters at the country's leading newspaper have expressed shock after a media group considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary gears up for pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to increase government influence on the media.

A pro-Orbán media group, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a group of Hungarian publications, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a widely-read tabloid whose digital edition reaches about three million digital visitors monthly.

Leadership Changes

Blikk's outgoing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another key leader were leaving in "common understanding" with the new owner.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on compelling journalism" and to be "more reader-centered, reporting on politics, economics, and cultural topics," he stated on social media.

Employee Reactions

Workers from Blikk admitted feeling taken aback. "I came close to a heart attack when I heard the declaration," stated one correspondent, who wished to be anonymous. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."

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

Media Landscape Issues

Numerous reporters who have chosen to remain acknowledge feeling in a challenging situation as there are limited other outlets left to which they could seek employment.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned press environment to enhance his reputation and polls.

Election Timing

While significant press transactions have typically occurred either after elections or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a time when opinion research are indicating that they have a real challenger for the premier instance in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is promoting commitments to root out systemic graft, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the damage he claims it has done to Hungary's democratic system.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it represents another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Importance

While Blikk is a daily publication, renowned for its celebrity news and over-the-top headlines, in the last several years it has also run multiple stories on suspected graft.

"The publication represents by far the most popular daily publication in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," said a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most visited website in Hungary. If biased information is published by such widely read and influential publications, it will have an impact on the general population."

Global Perspective

For over a decade, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

Previous US leaders and their allies have long praised Orbán's Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings.

In 2022, Orbán told a meeting of US right-leaning politicians that the path to power required "owning press organizations."

Past Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's administration approved a law that imposed official oversight over the main media regulator and put the state broadcaster in the hands of loyalists.

Ownership Information

Indamedia is 50% owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting investor who is also top executive of a pro-government private channel.

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the group is obtaining a successful publication group of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and recognized names that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian communications sector."

Ringier said in a communication that its choice to divest was "based solely on strategic economic considerations and our focus on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A official representative was approached for response.