Press and Media Freedom in Europe Focus topic An independent press and a diverse media landscape form the backbone of a liberal democracy. However, especially in Europe and in the EU, these cornerstones of democratic order are increasingly coming under pressure.
Civil society under pressure around the world Background In May, activists, feminists, researchers, and human rights defenders from some 35 countries from all continents will gather at the Global Assembly in Frankfurt am Main to discuss their ideas and strategies for a world with more justice and human dignity. By Barbara Unmüßig and Layla Al-Zubaidi
Journalism in Ukraine: When the war is not only informational Report The once lively scene of local and national Ukrainian media is threatened by the brutal Russian invasion and occupation. War has changed the work of journalists and media business models are under threat. By Inna Nelles
Media consumption, trust in the media, and recognizing fake news in Hungary Analysis A recent opinion poll by 21 Research Centre investigated how Hungarian people perceive different media outlets in the country and how they access political information. By 21 Research Center
The spectacle of press freedom in Central Europe Report Countries such as Poland or Hungary frequently face criticism for a lack of media freedom. Their governments dispute that they oppose critical media. Yet, restrictions on media freedom come in many shapes and sizes. By Konrad Bleyer-Simon
In the Name of National Security: How Spyware Threatens the EU’s Democratic Foundations Interview The use of spyware against journalists in the EU is alarming. Saskia Bricmont explains how severe the threat is, who the perpetrators are and their intentions. By Saskia Bricmont, Claudia Rothe and Georg McCutcheon
A State of Absolute Solitude Report Tasos Telloglou reports on the surveillance of journalists and politicians, the violation of telecommunications secrecy and his research into spyware. By Tasos Telloglou
What will Happen if I Use my Voice? Interview Gendered disinformation online silences women in the public sphere. The disinformation and democratization expert Nina Jankowicz explains how. By Nina Jankowicz, Claudia Rothe and Georg McCutcheon
Cascading risks to media pluralism and a European approach to tackle them Background The media systems of Europe are facing challenges from multiple directions. Elda Brogi explains the European approach to tackle them. By Elda Brogi
“Don’t be silenced” – Hungary's biggest independent news site collapses Background On the evening of 24 July, a crowd of 10 000 -15 000 people gathered in front of the office of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to show their solidarity for the journalists who had resigned that very same morning from the largest remaining independent Hungarian news portal. In Hungary, demonstrations tend to draw no more than five thousand people, so the protest's size was surprising, especially since there is nothing new or shocking in democratic institutions being under heavy fire in Hungary. By András Földes