WORLD
Publisher New Wave Media Group told news agency MTI on Wednesday in a statement that the new sole owner and chief executive of the company was Adam Matolcsy.
Hungarian central bank governor Gyorgy Matolcsy's son has bought the publishing company that runs some of the country's largest news web sites, the publisher confirmed on Wednesday.
Hungary's media is increasingly dominated by those close to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for stifling free speech, including via a crackdown on foreign universities and non-government organisations.
Publisher New Wave Media Group told news agency MTI on Wednesday in a statement that the new sole owner and chief executive of the company was Adam Matolcsy.
His father is a close ally of Orban, serving as economy minister from 2010 to 2013 and then being picked by the prime minister for the top job at the central bank.
A group of businessmen including the elder Matolcsy's cousin launched a media group shortly after he took over at the central bank and acquired and consolidated a large online media portfolio -- partly using central bank cash, a Reuters inquiry found last year.
At that time the ties of the group's owners to the central bank were unclear, and neither the central bank nor the company running prominent news web sites Origo.hu and VS.hu said there were direct connections between them and the Matolcsys.
Media analysts have expressed concern that Origo, once a leading source of independent news, may now toe the government line more closely.
"Origo, which had been known for investigative work before, has become palpably more loyal to the government," the media analysis centre Mertek wrote in a report last month.
Origo declined immediate comment.
In the statement to MTI, New Wave Media's outgoing owner and CEO Istvan Szaraz said that the company turned a profit for the first time in 2016, and Adam Matolcsy said that he had ambitious plans to shake up the Hungarian media market with new technology.
Neither Szaraz nor Matolcsy were available for further comment. A central bank spokesman declined to comment.
Mertek says Origo is the single largest news web site in Hungary, with 2.3 million users in the country of 10 million.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
Bengaluru cops stop Ed Sheeran's street performance, video goes viral - Watch
YouTuber Gaurav Taneja reveals he was 'shocked' over his wife's decision to...
Teddy Day 2025: Date, history and significance of the fourth day of Valentine’s week
'Sugar is the biggest toxin...': Naga Chaitanya calls sugar more toxic than alcohol and tobacco
‘Over for Blinkit, Zepto’, this startup claims ‘delivering humans’ in 10 minutes, shocks netizens
Pratik Gandhi on his struggles, managing job with acting: 'Chaar gante sona luxury tha' | Exclusive
Why did Kumar Vishwas' wife cry after Manish Sisodia lost Delhi Elections: 'Not always power...'
'Fast and Furious' cars collision creates a Rohit Shetty scene on Indian road, viral video
'Go to the room, cry...': Salman Khan's wisdom on love, breakup is all you need this Valentine's Day
Parvesh Verma, BJP leader who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, makes BIG claim, says, 'we have to do...'
Sumona Chakravarti on joining Kapil Sharma show: 'Went from Ram Kapoor's sister to...'
Is Elon Musk still interested in buying TikTok? Tesla CEO provides BIG update, claims...
Groom's mother and mama join hands to burn the dance floor down, viral video sets internet on fire
What is historic 'Blue Gold', costlier than real gold?
Salman Khan opens up about his daddy issues with Salim Khan: 'How can he be right all the time...'
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Caribbean, tsunami advisory issued
Salman Khan supports Sooaj Barjatya, pens note on his OTT debut, calls his show Bada Naam Karenge...
Little girl's energetic dance to 'London Thumakda' leaves netizens in awe, WATCH viral video
Meet man who left IIT, later earned Rs 286 crore in just 20 weeks by...
Viral Video: Sadhus playing cricket at Mahakumbh mela wins hearts online, watch
Happy Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your partner on February 9
Meet woman, who plays key role in Rs 33661 crore company, daughter of billionaire
Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna didn't talk to each other on the Chhaava sets because...
Nita Ambani, Nick Jonas share candid moments at Siddharth Chopra's wedding, WATCH viral video
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025 registration date extended by 7 days; apply at upsc.gov.in
'Fight for progress of Delhi will continue', says LoP Rahul Gandhi after Congress's Delhi debacle
Namma Metro Fare Update: Travel rides get costlier by 50 per cent from THIS date; check details
'AAP-Da Mukt Delhi': PM Modi hails BJP's resounding victory in assembly polls 2025
'He is fit to...': India batting coach shares BIG update on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd ODI
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma on cusp of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record in elite openers list
NASA confirms Sunita Williams' return date, denies US President Trump’s ‘stranded’ claim
Meet man whose airline went bankrupt, still has Rs 43894 crore net worth, he is...
Ranji Trophy: Suryakumar Yadav's horror show with bat continues, India star clean bowled for just...
Chocolate Day 2025: 5 easy homemade chocolate recipes to impress your partner
Mass layoffs at Infosys as company terminates 700 freshers over...
Priyanka Chopra wears 62-emerald bead Bvlgari necklace at her brother's wedding
Chocolate Day 2025: Date, significance, history and celebration ideas
Meet Swati Singh, wife of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal by 4089 votes
Meet man, son of world’s richest woman, he is set to take over Rs 1642000 crore empire as...
SHOCKING! Bride's family cancels wedding at last moment over groom's low...
Nita Ambani, Shloka Mehta stun in gorgeous sarees at Priyanka Chopra's brother's wedding
Meet Trisha and Sanidhi, daughters of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal
New entrant in grocery quick-commerce, ready to compete with industry giants
Transforming the news and media industry with Generative AI: Expert insights by Sanjay Jain
Dr Tanvi Tijoriwala, ND shedsputs light on balancing skin barrier during rising temperatures
How PM Modi's magic shattered Arvind Kejriwal and his third-term hope in Delhi?
Ahmedabad: Fire breaks out at Sabarmati bullet train station, check details