Shock as Orban allies buy Hungary's most-read newspaper

"Journalists at Hungary's most-read newspaper have expressed shock after a media group seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban's party, Fidesz, bought the tabloid from its previous Swiss owners. The purchase, which comes as Hungary gears up for crucial elections next year in which Orban faces an unprecedented opposition challenge, is widely seen as another attempt to increase government influence on the media."

"Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief, Ivan Zsolt Nagy, said on Monday that he and another senior manager were leaving in mutual agreement with the new owner. They had been hired seven months ago to reposition Blikk, focusing not on sensationalism but on interesting stories and to be more public-oriented, covering politics, economics, and culture, he said on Facebook, AFP reported. Staff at Blikk said they were shocked."

"While major media transactions have tended to take place either after elections or during a quiet political period, the purchase of Ringier Hungary comes less than six months before April's general election. Blikk was seen as a prime target for Orban and his party at a time when polls are signalling that they have a real challenger for the first time in more than a decade."

Indamedia, a media group seen as close to nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, bought a collection of Hungarian titles from Ringier, including Blikk and Glamour. Blikk's outgoing editor-in-chief Ivan Zsolt Nagy and another senior manager left by mutual agreement after being hired seven months earlier to reposition the outlet away from sensationalism toward politics, economics and culture. Staff reported shock and moral outrage, with few alternative outlets available for departing journalists. The purchase occurred less than six months before April's general election and is widely viewed as an attempt to expand pro-government media influence amid an unprecedented opposition challenge.

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