Many reports noted that the newspaper has recently published embarrassing stories about the personal lives of Fidesz communications leader Antal Rogán and central bank governor György Matolcsy, two officials seen as particularly close to the Prime Minister.

Mediaworks also closed the Népszabadság website, thereby blocking access to the newspaper’s archive of these and all other stories.

In addition, staff had their mobile phones confiscated, and were denied access to their company e-mail accounts.

In a statement published in English and Hungarian on the newspaper’s website nol.hu, Mediaworks said publication is suspended until management decides on the best business model for the newspaper.

It said a new era has begun with its acquisition on September 30 of Pannon Lapok Társasága, a publisher of numerous regional dailies across Hungary.

Mediaworks added that Népszabadság has lost Ft 5 billion since 2007 as circulation has plummeted.

Mediaworks is owned by investment firm Vienna Capital Partners, (VCP) controlled by Austrian businessman Heinrich Pecina.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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