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Journalists at Hungary's most popular newspaper have shown disbelief after a media group viewed as friendly to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its earlier Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The acquisition, which occurs while Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another move to strengthen government influence on the press.

A government-aligned media company, Indamedia, declared on Friday it had acquired a collection of Hungarian publications, including Glamour magazine and Blikk, a influential tabloid whose digital edition reaches about three million web users monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

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

They were appointed seven months ago to revamp Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more public-oriented, addressing political affairs, economic matters, and cultural topics," he said on social media.

Employee Responses

Staff at Blikk expressed being taken aback. "I nearly experienced a medical emergency when I learned about the announcement," stated one reporter, who requested to remain unnamed. "Personally, this is morally unacceptable."

Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Many journalists who have chosen to remain say they are in a difficult position as there are limited other publications left to which they could look for work.

During the last 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a extensive government-supporting press environment to boost his image and polls.

Political Timing

Although important publication acquisitions have tended to take place either following voting or during a stable political time, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes under six months ahead of April's national vote.

Blikk was seen as a key objective for Orbán and his political organization at a period when surveys are signalling that they have a real challenger for the first time in over a decade.

Opposition Reaction

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is promoting promises to root out deep-seated corruption, has been direct about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the negative impact he asserts it has done to Hungary's democratic system.

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

Publication's Importance

While Blikk is a popular newspaper, famous for its celebrity news and sensational captions, in the recent years it has also published many pieces on alleged corruption.

"The publication represents by far the most widely circulated newspaper in Hungary, a industry frontrunner," stated a media analyst. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in recent times, 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."

International Context

For more than a decade, Hungary has functioned as a example for other "authoritarian-leaning governments" internationally.

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

In 2022, Orbán spoke to a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the path to power demanded "controlling media outlets."

Historical Media Control

In 2010, Orbán's government passed a legislation that asserted state authority over the primary press oversight body and positioned the state broadcaster in the management of allies.

Proprietorship Information

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

In a announcement, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "Via the purchase of Ringier Hungary, the company is obtaining a profitable press organization of comparable scale 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 determination to transfer was "motivated entirely by strategic economic considerations and our focus on our primary online operations in Hungary."

A official representative was contacted for statement.