Ally of Hungary's Viktor Orban expands media portfolio

Hungarian-American film producer Andy Vajna has added a newspaper publisher to his media portfolio, further increasing the influence over Hungarian media by allies and supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Vajna's Avalue company said Monday it had bought Lapcom, the publisher of tabloid newspaper Bors and two daily newspapers in southern and western Hungary. The purchase price was not disclosed, but the deal includes the newspapers' online editions and two printing plants.

Vajna also owns TV2, one Hungary's largest broadcasters, and is the Hungarian government's film commissioner.

While Orban's allies have gained control of more and more Hungarian media outlets, Orban has still identified media he claims are "operated" by the European Union and billionaire George Soros as key foes of his government ahead of parliamentary elections in April 2018.