By Krisztina Than
BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Indamedia, a Hungarian media group which is 50% owned by pro-government businessman Miklos Vaszily, has bought a portfolio which includes Hungary’s main tabloid newspaper, Blikk.
The deal, announced by the two companies in a statement on Friday, comes just months before a general election due in April, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban being challenged by new centre-right opposition party Tisza, which leads in most polls.
“Through the acquisition of Ringier Hungary, the group is gaining a well-performing media company of similar size to Indamedia, with strong market positions and successful brands that play a defining role in the Hungarian media landscape,” said Indamedia co-owner and CEO Gabor Ziegler.
Ziegler owns 50% of Indamedia, with the other half held by Vaszily.
Vaszily, who is chairman and CEO of pro-government private channel TV2, recently joined one of the digital platforms Orban created earlier this year as he stepped up his political campaign.
Tisza leader Peter Magyar in a statement criticised the Ringier Hungary deal, which he said represented an attempt by Orban to cement his control over Hungary’s media outlets.
A government spokesman did not respond to emailed questions on the deal and the comments by Magyar. Indamedia did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Tight control of the media has helped Orban, who has transformed Hungary’s media landscape during more than 15 years of his nationalist government, win the European Union member’s recent elections.
State media has come under full government control and several private outlets have either been shut or taken over by government-friendly owners during Orban’s years in power.
The EU and pro-democracy groups have long accused Orban’s government of curbing media and other freedoms, which it denies.
Indamedia already owns 18 online publications and platforms, including leading news outlet Index.hu.
The companies did not disclose financial details of the Ringier Hungary deal.
(Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Alexander Smith)
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