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Media professionals at the country's most popular newspaper have voiced surprise after a media group considered aligned with PM Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz, purchased the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners.

Timing of Purchase

The acquisition, which comes as Hungary approaches crucial elections next year, is generally viewed as another effort to strengthen state control on the media.

A pro-Orbán media company, Indamedia, announced on Friday it had acquired a group of Hungarian media assets, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a popular tabloid whose news site attracts approximately three million digital visitors monthly.

Management Changes

Blikk's outgoing top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and a top executive were exiting in "common understanding" with the current proprietor.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to restructure Blikk, "moving away from sensational stories but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing politics, economics, and cultural topics," he commented on social media.

Staff Responses

Employees of Blikk said they were shocked. "I nearly experienced a heart attack when I was informed of the announcement," stated one journalist, who wished to be anonymous. "Personally, this is ethically questionable."

Blikk has introduced a fresh chief editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Media Landscape Concerns

Several media professionals who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a difficult position as there are not many other media organizations available where they could apply.

Throughout the previous 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a sprawling state-aligned media landscape to strengthen his public perception and polls.

Political Timing

While significant press transactions have tended to take place either post-election or during a quiet political period, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's parliamentary election.

Blikk was considered a main goal for Orbán and his party at a moment when opinion research are indicating that they have a serious opponent for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The opposition leader, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is promoting promises to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been outspoken about Orbán's "media machine" and the harm he claims it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, stating it represents another effort by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Publication's Significance

Though Blikk is a tabloid, known for its gossip column and sensational captions, in the last several years it has also published multiple stories on possible misconduct.

"The publication represents by far the most widely circulated daily publication in Hungary, a market leader," said a press expert. "The web version has become remarkably well-received in recent years, becoming the fourth most read online site in Hungary. If propaganda is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an effect on the citizenry."

Global Context

For over a ten-year period, Hungary has served as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" globally.

Ex-US administrators and their supporters have consistently commended Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in journalistic liberty ratings.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the path to power necessitated "having their own media."

Historical Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's regime approved a regulation that asserted official oversight over the primary press oversight body and placed the state broadcaster in the management of allies.

Ownership Information

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

In a announcement, Indamedia's additional partner and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, commented: "Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the organization is gaining a well-performing media company of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian media landscape."

Ringier stated in a release that its decision to sell was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our concentration on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for comment.