Marquard buys Hungarian opposition paper
Jürg Marquard's publishing company is expanding in Hungary. The Hungarian opposition newspaper Nepszava is set to be published by the Marquard Media Group.
The employees fear for their jobs. The managing director of Nepszava, Elza Laposi, announced the sale to Hungarian media on Friday. Next week, Marquard will announce how many of the newspaper's current 50 employees will keep their jobs, Laposi said. Marquard himself has not yet commented publicly on this.
The previous owner of the Nepszava brand name was the investment company TGD Intermedia, based in Lugano. This company is said to be close to the former socialist politician Laszlo Puch.
Jürg Marquard has been active in Hungary for some time, but primarily in the lifestyle sector. Among other things, he publishes the magazines Playboy and Runner's World in the country. Marquard has also been Honorary Consul General of Hungary in Switzerland since 1995.
After Nepszabadsag, Nepszava is the second Hungarian opposition newspaper within a week whose fate has become uncertain. It was announced on Sunday that the largest Hungarian opposition newspaper Nepszabadsag is to be sold. The day before, the liberal paper had been closed down without warning.
The owner Mediaworks officially cited economic reasons for the sale. However, critics see this as a move to retain the favor of Hungary's right-wing nationalist government, which pursues a restrictive media policy. Nepszabadsag had repeatedly reported critically on Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who came to power in 2010. (SDA)
