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Journalists at the country's leading newspaper have shown disbelief after a media conglomerate seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its former Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which occurs while Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year, is largely considered another effort to expand state control on the media.

A government-aligned media group, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose online platform reaches about three million web users monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were leaving in "shared decision" with the current proprietor.

They were appointed seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on engaging content" and to be "more public-oriented, covering politics, economics, and cultural topics," he commented on social media.

Employee Responses

Employees of Blikk said they were taken aback. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I learned about the news," stated one reporter, who asked to stay anonymous. "For me, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has announced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Issues

Numerous reporters who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a complex circumstance as there are not many other outlets left to which they could look for work.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive pro-government news ecosystem to enhance his reputation and polls.

Political Context

Although important publication deals have usually happened either after elections or during a stable political time, the buyout of Ringier Hungary happens less than six months before April's general election.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his party at a period when surveys are suggesting that they have a real challenger for the initial occasion in more than a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom political group is campaigning on commitments to eliminate deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the harm he asserts it has affected Hungary's democratic system.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary acquisition, stating it represents another move by Orbán to solidify his influence over Hungary's news publications.

Publication's Significance

Though Blikk is a tabloid, known for its entertainment section and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also featured numerous articles on alleged corruption.

"This newspaper stands as by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a market leader," commented a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become surprisingly popular in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If partisan content features in such widely read and popular media, it will have an influence on the general population."

Global Context

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has acted as a example for other "illiberal democracies" internationally.

Ex-US administrators and their supporters have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it declines in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a meeting of US traditionalist groups that the route to leadership required "having their own media."

Historical Press Regulation

In 2010, Orbán's government enacted a legislation that established state authority over the main media regulator and put the national media outlet in the hands of allies.

Ownership Details

Indamedia is half-owned by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting entrepreneur who is also top executive of a government-friendly television station.

In a announcement, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is gaining a profitable press organization of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with strong market positions and popular products that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier stated in a communication that its choice to divest was "driven exclusively by commercial planning elements and our emphasis on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was sought for statement.