The Role of Media in Times of Radical Political Change: The Case of Hungary, Slovakia and Poland

How do independent media survive when governments challenge democratic institutions and public trust in journalism? In this discussion, leading journalists and media experts from Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia share their experiences of political pressure, media capture, polarization, and the struggle to maintain independent reporting. The speakers discuss why rebuilding media independence is often more difficult than dismantling it, how Hungarian media organizations developed resilient business models under pressure, and why audience trust, investigative journalism, and cooperation between media outlets are crucial for the future of democracy. Featuring Zuzanna Dąbrowska (Polish News Agency PAP), Gábor Polyák (Eötvös Loránd University), Róbert Vági (Central Media Group), and Filip Struhárik (Denník N); moderation by Mirjana Tomic (fjum / Presseclub Concordia) Recorded at Presseclub Concordia in Vienna on 13 May 2026.