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Journalists at Hungary's leading publication have voiced surprise after a media conglomerate seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, acquired the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The buyout, which comes as Hungary approaches important elections next year, is generally viewed as another attempt to increase state control on the press.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had purchased a collection of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose news site draws around three million online readers monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's departing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were exiting in "mutual agreement" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories" and to be "more reader-centered, addressing political affairs, economics, and culture," he commented on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Employees of Blikk expressed being taken aback. "I almost had a medical emergency when I was informed of the news," said one reporter, who requested to remain unidentified. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has named a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Issues

Many journalists who have chosen to remain admit being in a challenging situation as there are not many other outlets left to which they could seek employment.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread pro-government press environment to boost his image and poll numbers.

Election Timing

Although significant press acquisitions have usually happened either after elections or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months prior to April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was considered a prime target for Orbán and his party at a time when surveys are indicating that they have a real challenger for the first time in more than a decade.

Opposition Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is campaigning on commitments to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "propaganda factory" and the harm he claims it has affected Hungary's political freedom.

He has condemned the Ringier Hungary transaction, saying it constitutes another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's press organizations.

Publication's Importance

Although Blikk is a tabloid, known for its gossip column and over-the-top headlines, in the recent years it has also published many pieces on alleged corruption.

"Blikk is by far the most popular daily newspaper in Hungary, a sector dominator," said a press expert. "The web version has become remarkably well-received in recent times, becoming the fourth most visited website in Hungary. If propaganda appears in such extensively consumed and popular media, it will have an effect on the public."

International Perspective

For more than a decade now, Hungary has acted as a blueprint for other "illiberal democracies" around the world.

Former American officials and their associates have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US right-leaning politicians that the way to governance demanded "having their own media."

Past Press Control

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a legislation that imposed state authority over the primary press oversight body and placed the public broadcaster in the control of allies.

Ownership Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a government-supporting businessman who is also top executive of a state-aligned TV network.

In a declaration, Indamedia's other co-owner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the company is gaining a profitable press organization of comparable scale to Indamedia, with established industry presence and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier said in a statement that its choice to divest was "based solely on business strategy factors and our concentration on our core digital activities in Hungary."

A official representative was approached for comment.