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Media professionals at Hungary's leading publication have expressed shock after a media group viewed as friendly to PM Viktor Orbán's political faction, Fidesz, bought the popular daily from its previous Swiss owners.

Context of Purchase

The purchase, which comes as Hungary approaches pivotal elections next year, is widely seen as another attempt to strengthen government influence on the news outlets.

A Fidesz-friendly media company, Indamedia, stated on Friday it had bought a portfolio of Hungarian titles, including the fashion publication and Blikk, a influential daily newspaper whose news site draws around three million web users monthly.

Leadership Shake-up

Blikk's former top editor, Ivan Zolt Nagy, announced on Monday that he and another key leader were leaving in "common understanding" with the acquiring company.

Their recruitment occurred seven months ago to reposition Blikk, "shifting from dramatic coverage but on interesting stories" and to be "more audience-focused, covering political affairs, economics, and cultural topics," he said on Facebook.

Staff Reactions

Employees of Blikk expressed being stunned. "I nearly experienced a medical emergency when I was informed of the declaration," remarked one correspondent, who asked to stay anonymous. "Personally, this is professionally concerning."

Blikk has introduced a replacement top editor, Baláz Kolossváry.

Press Environment Concerns

Numerous reporters who have opted to continue acknowledge feeling in a difficult position as there are few other outlets available where they could apply.

Over the past 15 years, Orbán has been able to use a widespread state-aligned press environment to enhance his reputation and poll numbers.

Political Timing

While major media transactions have tended to take place either post-election or during a calm political phase, the acquisition of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's national vote.

Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orbán and his party at a moment when surveys are signalling that they have a genuine competitor for the initial occasion in exceeding a decade.

Political Rival Response

The political challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Respect and Freedom party is running on commitments to eradicate deep-seated corruption, has been vocal about Orbán's "information apparatus" and the negative impact he claims it has caused to Hungary's democratic system.

He has criticised the Ringier Hungary transaction, declaring it signifies another move by Orbán to strengthen his grip over Hungary's media outlets.

Newspaper's Significance

Although Blikk is a daily publication, known for its gossip column and dramatic titles, in the last several years it has also featured multiple stories on alleged corruption.

"The publication represents by far the most widely circulated daily publication in Hungary, a market leader," said a communications specialist. "Their digital platform has become unexpectedly successful in recent years, becoming the fourth most popular online site in Hungary. If biased information is published by such extensively consumed and mainstream outlets, it will have an impact on the citizenry."

International Perspective

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

Ex-US administrators and their allies have frequently applauded Orbán's Hungary even as it falls in media freedom indexes.

In 2022, Orbán addressed a gathering of US traditionalist groups that the way to governance demanded "owning press organizations."

Historical Media Control

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

Proprietorship Information

Indamedia is partially controlled by Mikló Vaszily, a state-aligned businessman who is also CEO of a pro-government private channel.

In a declaration, Indamedia's second proprietor and CEO, Gábor Ziegler, said: "By obtaining of Ringier Hungary, the company is acquiring a well-performing publication group of equivalent magnitude to Indamedia, with solid commercial standing and successful brands that serve a crucial function in the Hungarian press environment."

Ringier stated in a statement that its determination to transfer was "based solely on commercial planning elements and our concentration on our main internet businesses in Hungary."

A official representative was approached for response.