The findings challenge the idea that regulating social media is “censorship” — showing strong support for action to protect media freedom and democratic debate
Media Freedom Poll 2025 shows strong public support for transparent, effective regulation of social media to protect freedom of expression and democratic integrity. The fourth edition of the poll demonstrates overwhelming public backing for accountability measures against social media platforms, particularly in response to hate speech, cyberbullying, disinformation, and harmful content.
Central Europeans aren't rejecting free speech - they want safeguards to ensure it remains free. Today's digital landscape requires protections against manipulation by algorithms, extremism, and profit-driven disinformation. Citizens increasingly view EU intervention not as overreach, but as essential democratic protection.
Almost 90% of people across the region demand platforms act decisively against hate speech, cyberbullying, and content promoting self-harm. 67% support actions against the spreading of disinformation. 66% believe that digital platforms should give preference to trustworthy sources of information. 61% agree that digital platforms should be transparent about their decisions regarding promotion or suppression of content. The most preferred intervention is the removal of harmful content, followed by reducing its visibility and adding contextual labels - reflecting strong support for clear, decisive action.
Concerns about media freedom
Compared to 2024, concerns about media freedom have grown in Czechia, and Poland.
Support for action against deceitful or manipulated content
Share of people who strongly agree or rather agree that social media platforms should take action against:
- content designed to deceive readers by impersonating legitimate news sources
- disinformation campaigns that use AI-generated or automated content to manipulate public opinion
- misleading narratives spread by foreign state-backed actors or organised networks
Czech Republic
Content designed to deceive readers by impersonating legitimate news sources
Disinformation campaigns that use AI-generated or automated content to manipulate public opinion
Misleading narratives spread by foreign state-backed actors or organised networks
Slovakia
Content designed to deceive readers by impersonating legitimate news sources
Disinformation campaigns that use AI-generated or automated content to manipulate public opinion
Misleading narratives spread by foreign state-backed actors or organised networks
Poland
Content designed to deceive readers by impersonating legitimate news sources
Disinformation campaigns that use AI-generated or automated content to manipulate public opinion
Misleading narratives spread by foreign state-backed actors or organised networks
Hungary
Content designed to deceive readers by impersonating legitimate news sources
Disinformation campaigns that use AI-generated or automated content to manipulate public opinion
Misleading narratives spread by foreign state-backed actors or organised networks
The press conference revealing the findings of Media Freedom Poll 2025 took place in Bratislava on 12th May 2025. A brief poll presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring Tessa Szyszkowitz (Committee for Editorial Independence), Václav Štětka (Loughborough University), Pavol Szalai & Alexander Dworzak (Reporters Without Borders), Beáta Balogová (SME), Veronika Munk (Denník N), Márton Gergely (HVG), Michał Olszewski (Gazeta Wyborcza), Martin Ehl (Hospodářské noviny), Alexandra Borchardt (media researcher) and Misha Glenny (Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna).
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 were presented at a press conference with a panel debate that took place in Bratislava on 12th May 2025.
Poll's results
Press release
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.