Ringier sells Népszabadság
According to the *Tages-Anzeiger*, the Swiss media group Ringier is divesting itself of Hungary's last independent daily newspaper.
As the Tages-Anzeiger reported on Wednesday, the sale appears to be a done deal. Ringer thus fulfills the condition of the Hungarian media authority. This authority will only approve a Ringier partnership with the German Axel Springer Group if the Swiss media house divests itself of the daily newspaper in question. Hungary is the last country in Eastern Europe where the two groups have not yet merged.
Népszabadság is the last independent daily newspaper in Hungary. Unlike the other titles, it is not close to the politics of the ruling Fidesz party, but is considered the mouthpiece of the socialist opposition. As the Tages-Anzeiger writes, there are fears among the journalists concerned that the newspaper is now threatened with political capture. This fear does not appear to be unfounded, as Ringier already parted company with the left-wing daily Magyar Hirlap years ago, which was subsequently transformed by a nationalist entrepreneur into a right-wing medium with anti-Semitic overtones.
As the Tages-Anzeiger writes, Ringier is demanding CHF 6.3 million for the shares plus a guarantee that the newspaper will remain a customer of the Ringier printing plant for the next five years, according to Hungarian media.
