What do people in Central Europe really think about free speech in the social media age?
With changes of the political landscape in individual Central European countries, as well as in response to geopolitical shifts, citizens’ views on the critical issue of media freedom are evolving significantly. This year’s fourth edition of the survey provides data that allows for an in-depth analysis of trends and shifts in public opinion. Data from four consecutive years offer valuable insights into the perception of media freedom in the region.
Follow us on 12th May when we will publish the results of the Media Freedom Poll 2025, the most comprehensive annual barometer of public attitudes towards media freedom in Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
Meet our panel:
- Tessa Szyszkowitz, Chair, Committee for Editorial Independence
- Václav Štětka, Loughborough University
- Pavol Szalai, Reporters Without Borders
- Misha Glenny, Rector, Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna
- Alexander Dworzak, Reporters Without Borders
- Beáta Balogová, SME, Slovakia
- Veronika Munk, Denník N, Slovakia
- Márton Gergely, HVG, Hungary
- Michał Olszewski, Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
- Martin Ehl, Hospodářské noviny, Czech Republic
- Alexandra Borchardt, media researcher and journalist.
Follow the press conference revealing the findings of Media Freedom Poll 2025 & a panel debate at FACH in Bratislava, here.
Live online stream will start on 12th May at 11am CET.
Be part of the debate! Ask a question via Slido.About the survey
Media Freedom Poll is the most comprehensive annual barometer of public attitudes towards media freedom in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. This year's poll marks the fourth consecutive year of data collection, allowing for an in-depth analysis of trends and shifts in public opinion.
All the four years of the survey were conducted by MEDIAN on behalf of the Committee for Editorial Independence, with the support of the Bakala Foundation, surveying over 4,000 respondents aged 18 and above across the V4 countries each year. The findings of the Media Freedom Poll 2025 will be presented at a press conference with a panel debate that will take place in Bratislava on 12th May 2025.
Presentation of the 2025 poll results - will be accessible from 13th May 2025 here
Press release will be published here
The media freedom survey is an initiative of the Committee for Editorial Independence, supported by the Bakala Foundation. The findings of Media Freedom Poll 2025 are presented in cooperation with SME.